Monday, December 27, 2010

December 27, 2010

It is the week after Christmas and I need to rest. Do you? I loved all of the events and activities and services and took them one day at a time. Anna and I hosted the pastoral staff team and spouses for dinner in our home on Tuesday, December 21. We celebrated our thirty-eighth wedding anniversary out with close friends on Wednesday, December 22. We celebrated Sue Smith Dobbins’ eighty-ninth birthday on Thursday, December 23, with dinner at Bobby and Rondy Smith’s house. Sue is Anna and Bobby’s mother. We participated in the Christmas Eve Service at HCN on December 24. On Christmas morning, we rose early and drove to Brady and Michelle’s house to watch Kennedy and Leyton open presents left by Santa. We ate breakfast, drove home, and started cooking for our 5:00 PM dinner with everyone. Somewhere in the week, I enjoyed a good visit with Sam Green at Centennial. I read and soaked in scripture and structured the sermon for Sunday morning. On Sunday, December 26, I worshipped at HCN with my sisters and brothers in Christ.

This was our third year for a Christmas Eve Service at HCN. Too many people asked for too many years that we try it and so we did. It was so simple but so inspirational. We prayed; read scriptures; sang great Christmas hymns; received communion; listened to Landon Collins sing “Away in a Manger”; watched three and four year old children (Ava Collins, Kyler Kelley, Tyler Koon, Kennedy Plummer, Carson Slocum), portray the nativity; lit the Christ candle and passed the light to the congregation. The sanctuary was packed floor and balcony with chairs down the aisles and lining the back wall. These are the comments posted by some on you on my facebook page regarding the service. “I love the service. I love the times we gather in the sanctuary.” “Brother! We loved it. I was a little torn up singing the old hymns.” “I wish there was a LOVE button. LIKE just does not cut it.” “The sight of a packed house of people saved by grace with candles lit all in the name of Jesus. There was no other place I would rather have been tonight.” “We did our celebrating before the service time. Did not ask who was going with me…just said we needed to leave by 6:30 PM. Had some whines, but held my ground. Our home of 2 had 7 people there.” “I loved the packed house. I loved being squished between my husband and a woman who I met for the first time. I loved that one of the balcony doors was accidentally left locked and every couple of minutes someone knocked softly on the door.”

Snow really did come Christmas Eve night. And more on Christmas Day. And more on Christmas night. So, Sunday morning travel was questionable. I left my house at 9:00 AM for the previously scheduled one service at 10:00 AM. When I walked into The Center at 9:15 AM, the band (Randy Layne, Jay Barfield, David Flint, Michael Waller, Graham Scott, Rich Herring), was already practicing; the praise team (Tammy Tarter, Suzanne Karr-Herrring, Emily Sullivan), was rehearsing; Brian Biggs and Robert Sullivan were setting up sound and lighting. I honestly thought: how do I get to be a part of this wonderful, responsible group of people? Music was spirited. Suzanne and Rich provided the soulful offertory. We prayed for Kyle Russell with his family at open altars. Kyle leaves tomorrow (December 28), for Texas and basic training in the Air Force. Kyle came to see me on Christmas Eve and we had a great heart-to-heart conversation. After preaching, we gathered at the front of the Center for communion. I met your families who were visiting and I think I was honest when I bragged on you. Actually, I am sure I was honest. There were 212 people counted who were able to drive to church.

Since this is our second snow in December that affected Sunday services, could I talk to us about general decision making regarding future services and ice and/or snow? If there is winter precipitation on a Sunday, we will move to one service at 10:00 AM and it will probably meet in The Center. If there is winter precipitation on a Sunday afternoon/evening or Wednesday evening, we will most likely cancel services. The easiest place to check is the church website at www.hermitagenazarene.org or my facebook page. We try to make as many phone connections as possible for those who have no access to the internet. There is no perfect system. I ask for forgiveness in advance.

End of the year giving is available by mailing your contributions to HCN, Post Office Box 111, Hermitage, TN 37076, or by bringing your contributions to the church by Friday, December 31, 2010, at 4:00 PM. The important thing is to date your check for 2010. I always come to the end of a church year having received at least a dozen requests for charitable giving. Some I give to regularly. Some I would give to never. But I wonder if I have made a sufficient appeal for the church as a place to give. I would have a hard time telling you how appropriate I think it is to give to HCN in the midst of serious mission and ministry. I hope you feel the same.

The Church Board meeting scheduled for Sunday, December 12, 2010, at 4:30 PM was canceled due to ice and snow that afternoon and evening. The busy Christmas schedules kept us from rescheduling. The next Church Board meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 9, 2011, at 4:00 PM. Please note the earlier time.

The Genesis Sunday School Class hosted Room-in-the-Inn men at HCN on Christmas Day and evening. I do not have a complete list of those who helped but those I know include Wayne and Pam McNeese, Ricky and Dianne McNeese, Lisa Anderson, Paul and Pam Stonecipher, Andrew and Katie Nelson, Christy Stonecipher and Dennis Hughes, John and Erika Mannen, Jared, Anthony, and Alyssa Mannen, Steve, Lisa, and Kyler Kelley, Becky Evans, JD and Angela Hissey, Joe and Carol Clem, Dan and Cathy Preston, Bob and Rhonda Ward, Marvin and Ruth Heath, Carter Poole. Various groups of people provided gifts to the men including reading glasses from Ruth Heath. Paul Stonecipher said the reading glasses were received like candy.

Sam Green spent Christmas Day with his family in Centennial. The graft versus host disease that proves his brother Steve’s stem cells have taken over his body put him there. Pray that Sam continues to get well, slowly but surely.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

Monday, December 20, 2010

December 20, 2010

Congratulations to Donnie and Angela Dillon on the birth of their daughter, Jessie Rae Dillon, on Monday, December 13, 2010, at 3:26 PM at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. Jessie weighed 7 lbs 9 ozs and measured 20 ½ inches in length. She is the sister of Sadie, Lila, Donnie Jr., William, Mary, and Amanda. We bless the Lord who has blessed Donnie and Angela by entrusting this child to their care and nurture.

HCN Middle School Students (LiveWire) presented the Christmas narrative with drama and music on Sunday, December 19, 2010, at 6:00 PM in The Center. Christine Helm wrote and directed the production. Diane Cater, Beth Rouse, and Crew created the set. Brian Biggs, Robert Sullivan, and Caleb Foster operated the sound and lights. Donny Jackson, Paul Bolling, Michael Waller, Dave Flint, Jay Barfield, Nathaniel Jackson, and Jameson Scappaticci formed the band. Cast members included Drew Silvernail, Jonathan Silvernail, Joel Daughtery, Michael Mathias, Jared Mannen, Annie Carter, Madeline Rouse, Isabella Green, Bryson Fox, Morgan Houser, Bethany Ruff, Marileigh Mabry, Olivia Garrett, Kristin Paddon, Jacob Paddon, Izzy Scappaticci, Chandler Scott, Anna Waller, Anthony Mannen, Sara Waller, Abby Elkins, Grant Reigard, Bethany Ruff, Brielle Fox, Lydia Foster, and Shelby Rose. The drama was simple and easy to follow. The music revealed lots of talent. I enjoyed it immensely.

Thanks to the New Life Sunday School Class for providing set-up and clean-up and to Lisa Anderson for generally directing the food service. Thanks to everyone who brought pizza or pasta dishes and desserts and drinks. The food was good and plentiful.

Thanks to a variety of people who stepped forward on Sunday to make the music and drama happen. Thanks to Jamie Slocum who sang with the praise team and provided the special music for the offertory. Thanks to Stephan Scappaticci for the story of the geese and the doubter. Thanks to the band which plays every week and the choir which sings every week and to Tammy Tarter and Donny Jackson who lead congregational singing and choirs. Thanks for your time investment and use of musical gifts.

A Christmas card with this handwritten note was received by the church last week: Dear Friends, we lived in Waterford during the May flood. While this was a difficult time for us, volunteers such as ones from your church made a big difference through their kind acts. It wasn’t just the bottle of water or meal either. It was enlightening to have strangers helping just because they could. So we wanted to thank you for your contributions to our flooded neighborhood. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. Amy and Nathan Qualls

Elsie Patton Elementary School in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, has twenty-six students who are provided take-home backpacks with food for the weekend every Friday of the school year. HCN provides that food through special offerings received in the adult Sunday School classes. Kenzie Eiseman, a Middle School student at HCN, works with the backpack program as a project for the Beta Club at her school. At Thanksgiving, it bothered Kenzie that the students went home for a long weekend with not enough food. She asked the school coordinator if something could be done to provide food for the students over Christmas break. When word was passed around about the project, food for sixteen Christmas boxes was brought to the church. Kenzie and her mom went to Krogers to buy food for the rest of the boxes and before they left the store, the manager had provided a large discount for all of the groceries and some of the employees had paid for the food. Some of us already know the story. Most of us do not. I think it is a great model for what happens when one person, a middle school student, gets proactive about a need and it provides a handle for other people, unlikely people to get involved in serving others. Families were waiting in the rain last Thursday morning at 6:30 AM at the school to receive the groceries.

Christmas is this week. I read somewhere of a woman’s disgust at a nativity scene in a store Christmas window. She huffed, “Can you believe it? They try to drag religion into every thing.” I felt a little snooty. Ignorance can make me arrogant. I also read that American families feel more spiritual about Thanksgiving than about Christmas. They feel thankful to God at Thanksgiving and go on vacations at Christmas. It is our job, yours and mine, to engage our culture and help others to know the reason for the season. How do we shine a light on the Christ child? The Christmas Eve service on December 24, 2010, at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary is available. There will be carols and communion and candlelight and children. I can guarantee you the spirit will be high. Christmas Day offers an opportunity to teach. This is the day to celebrate the birth of Christ. Will you read the story? Will you pray? There is one service at HCN on Sunday, December 26, 2010. It meets at 10:00 AM in The Center.

You are greatly loved and appreciated. Merry Christmas. Jesus has come to save us from our sins. Go tell it.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

December 14, 2010

The weather outside is frightful, frigid, dangerous, and I am not talking about ice and snow. I am talking about the cold. Rondy Smith tried to talk me into announcing something a little more definitive about what we would do in case of inclement weather on Sunday morning. I function on the principle that if you speak it, it will happen. Snow and ice and cold happened anyway. The canceled service on Sunday evening means we need to reschedule with our missionaries from Rwanda, Spencer and April Baggott. Several weeks ago, three HCN Adult Sunday School Classes received a collection of money to purchase Christmas gifts for the Baggott family. Kristi Mabry got sizes from April and purchased coats for all, some clothes, with cash remaining. When we did not meet on Sunday evening, the Mabry family delivered the coats and gifts to the Baggotts. Now they are warm. I hope you are safe and warm.

“The Night of Alleluias” produced a swell of Alleluias beyond Sunday, December 12, 2010. The Adult Worship Choir sang with Holy Spirit passion and power. The vocalists included Renita Amity, Lisa Anderson, Jo Apple, Dalene Barnett, Dean Beach, Melody Beach, Joy Bradley, Kristi Dozier, Julie Foster, Beth Fox, Bryce Fox, Keli Green, Marvin Heath, Gary Helm, Donny Jackson, JoAnn Jackson, John Jordan, Marilyn Keener, Melinda Knott, Ken Koon, Tiffany Mathias, Herb McMillan, Miriam McMillan, Pam McNeese, Anna Plummer, Beverly Sharpe, Bobby Smith, Ken Stegall, Tom Stephens, Emily Sullivan, Tammy Tarter, Jim Trease, Brenda Waffird, Carrie Wagner, Deborah Walter, Betty Willis. The Worship Band played with Holy Spirit gifts and grace. The musicians included Michael Waller, Donny Jackson, Randy Layne, Dave Flint, Jay Barfield, Graham Scott, Ricky Gore, Paul Bolling. Thanks to Tammy Tarter for rehearsing and directing the production. Thanks to Tim Green for writing and then narrating the story. Thanks to Brian Biggs and Robert Sullivan for directing the sound, lights, and word screens.

Sam Green attended the second service production at 10:30 AM and sat on the front row. The best news is that it must have inspired his blood. When Sam went to the clinic yesterday (Monday), all of his blood work was UP! It was a great surprise. His hemo-globin had taken a major bounce. I think we are good for the boy. Continue to pray for Sam’s complete healing. Speak an Alleluia for this good news.

Carol Waller asked me to plug the need for Upward Basketball Coaches. The current need is for 3 coaches. It is a one-hour commitment during the week for practices and one game each Saturday in January and February. What an opportunity to intersect the lives of children and to make a investment of time and energy.

Paul Stonecipher, HCN Coordinator of Room-in-the-Inn, asked me to thank the Faith Builders Sunday School Class for the great job they did in replenishing supplies and clothing for the men of Room-in-the-Inn. As the calendar falls this year, one of our hosting dates for Room-in-the-Inn is Christmas Day. The Genesis Sunday School Class asked for the privilege to serve.

This Sunday, December 19, 2010, is the fourth Sunday of Advent. The schedule is normal this Sunday, including Sunday School, with the exception of no third service this week. College students are out-of-town for Christmas break. Worship services meet at 9:00 AM in the sanctuary and at 10:00 AM in The Center. Teens lead worship this Sunday evening at 6:00 PM with pizza and pasta and desserts to follow their presentation. Bring either pizza or pasta dishes, desserts, and a large drink to feed our friends and ourselves. There are great deals at pizza places these days.

I hope you have the Christmas Eve Service at HCN on Friday, December 24, 2010, at 7:00 PM on your radar. It will not be boring. It is planned with lots of participation. You will be glad you came. It meets in the Sanctuary.

I look forward to worship with you this Sunday.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

Monday, December 6, 2010

December 6, 2010

Congratulations to Josh and Amber Alberts on the birth of their son, Zinn Michael Alberts, on Monday, December 6, 2010, at 10:53 AM at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. Zinn weighed 7 lbs and measured 20 inches. He is the brother of Kaylee and Abram and the grandson of David and Dawn Parker. We bless the Lord who has blessed Josh and Amber and entrusted this child to their care and nurture.

The Children of Hermitage Church of the Nazarene presented their annual Christmas program on Sunday, December 5, 2010, at 6:00 PM in The Center. Glory be to God that 104 full of wonder children helped to tell the story again of Jesus come to earth.

Preschool children rang bells and portrayed the nativity. Toddler 1 Bell Ringers were Lucia Greathouse, Emilee Koon, Austin Reigard, Caroline Walker, Cooper Jordan, Malcolm Mullins, Jake Stride, Leyton Plummer. PreK Handbell Ringers were Owen Agee, Ava Collins, Bryan Ermshar, Mercedes Greathouse, Kyler Kelley, Cole Petroff, and Seth Stride. The Nativity Scene Animals were portrayed by Mason Beach, Emmy Biggs, Tate Collins, Brandon Helm, Keegan Lutz, Bennett Segars, Nicholas York, Ellianna Gamble, Emma Petroff, Lucas Waller. The Nativity Scene Cast Members were portrayed by Harper Kate Miles, Carson Slocum, Caeden Bolling, Tyler Koon, Megan Ermshar, Kennedy Plummer.

“The Next Noel” Children’s Musical was sung by Isabella Stinson, Annalee Poole, Parker Hollandsworth, Briley Ruff, Rebecca Eiseman, Regan Perkins, Katelyn Brown, Daniel Webb, Breelyn Ruff, Michael Spraker, Will Stride, Sydney Webb, Konner Russell, Matthew Baughman, Elizabeth Sweeten, Alyssa Mannen, Morgan Evans, Selah Coppedge, Mia Agee, Ashlynn Lounsbury, Victoria Hood, David Paddon, Jacob Brown, Tristan Lee, Katie Grace Russell, Evan Gamble, Jack Gold, Sarah Helm, Hutson Miles, Afton Segars, Hannah Holderby, William Dillon, Elizabeth Stinson, Stephen Swoner, Madison McNeese, Alexi Baltz, Abigail Reigard, Madison Slocum, Dakota Biggs, Brenae Fox, Christian Rios, Elizabeth Foster, Ava Davis, Gant Brasfield, Brandon Vines, Miranda Spraker, Erica Render, Caroline Brasfield, Emma Vermilye, Gabriella Rouse, Brooke Bradley, Bethany Webb, Eva Harris, Ethan Foster, Camille Reigard, Ian Rouse, Gracie Parman, Eli Gamble, Maxwell Mullins, Preston Davis, Brooklyn Fox, Alex Sullivan, Donnie Dillon, Mary Dillon. Musical Cast Members were Isabella Agee, Olivia Vermilye, Landon Collins, Jackson Barfield, Daniel Silvernail, Holly Barfield, Reid Swoner, Becca Waller, Trey McNeese.

Leaders who assisted the program were:

  • Amy Slocum: teaching parts and songs to preschoolers
  • Jessica Agee: training bell ringers
  • Angel Greathouse: directing the elementary drama
  • April Swoner and Tammy Jones: leading the elementary choir
  • Brian Biggs and Robert Sullivan for operating sound and lights
  • Kristin Jordan and Jillian Forcum for filling in all the gaps
  • Sam Eiseman, Jeff Cater, John Mannen, and Jamie Slocum for setting curtains
  • Jody Scott: providing staging
  • Pastor Carol Waller, general director

Thank you to every parent who practiced songs and lines with their children and transported them to and from rehearsals. Thank you to every adult who invested time and talent with the children to enable their presentation. Thank you to every adult who used technical skills to make the production happen. Thank you to every child who gave their voice and heart and hands to tell the story of Jesus. Thank you to the Genesis Sunday School Class for providing set-up and clean-up for the food lines after the service. Thank you to every person/family for providing food and drink to share.

Thank you to Ken Stegall for directing the Worship Choir and congregational singing in first worship on Sunday. Tammy Tarter took a one Sunday break as she fills the gap for Sam Green. Thank you to Jeremy Michael for leading congregational singing in third worship to help us with selection variety.

Spencer and April Baggott are missionaries in the Church of the Nazarene and members of Hermitage Church of the Nazarene. They are stationed in Kigali, Rwanda. For Christmas this year, the Baggotts are allowed to visit their family in the USA with their three children including a new baby. They arrive on December 9. I wrote Spencer and April and invited them to come and visit with us on Sunday, December 12, 2010, in the 6:00 PM service. They accepted my invitation. Our fellowship for the evening includes Soup and Salad and Dessert. We will fix our bowls and plates first; seat ourselves at tables; and listen to stories from Africa. Families with last names beginning with A-L are asked to bring salads, desserts, and large drinks. Families with last names beginning with M-Z are asked to bring soup, desserts, and large drinks.

The HCN Adult Choir and Center Band present “A Night of Alleluias” this Sunday, December 12, 2010, at 9:00 and 10:30 AM. Please notice this represents a time change for the second service. The Early Christian Sunday School Class will meet at 8:00 AM but no other Sunday School Classes will meet this Sunday. Both services will meet in The Center. Dr. Tim Green, brother to our Sam Green, wrote the narration for this musical and will serve as narrator at HCN on Sunday. You will minimally like this music. You might love it. Invite your unchurched friends and family to attend with you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

Monday, November 29, 2010

November 29, 2010

The New Life Sunday School Class hosted our Room-in-the-Inn friends on Saturday night, November 27, 2010. Ten homeless men were transported from downtown Nashville to the HCN campus for a safe, dry place to sleep and hot food to eat. Hot showers and a place to wash clothes were available to all the men. Wayne McNeese drove the van which brought the men to church and returned them to the city. Stephanie, Eli, and Evan Gamble and Keith, Stephanie, Chelsea, and Cristian Rhodes set the facility up for use. Supper, breakfast, and sack lunches for Sunday were provided by Glenda Perkins, Charlotte Rose, Kendell and Tammy Poole, Lance and Patty Waller, Tony Dozier, Mike and Darlene Miranne, Alan and Angie, Josh and Abby Elkins, Howard and Barbara Barrett, Scott Moore, Rusty Waffird, Judy Fite. Ray Render and Jody Sweeten stayed overnight to chaperone the group. Paul Stonecipher served as coordinator for the event. One of the men wrote a poem about his experience and left it for you. It is posted on the Center glassboard. Thanks to the New Life Class for representing all of us.

I hope you were present in worship yesterday. Sophie Zander, Eddie Witkowski, Dennis Scholl, and Marvin Maphet opened up their hearts and told us moving pieces of their life stories. Sophie is an exchange student from Germany who lives with Jerry, Lori, and Ashley Wallace. Eddie is a recent pastoral ministries graduate from Trevecca and a summer missionary to Thailand. Dennis is a husband, dad, engineer, and general contractor who faced a serious health crisis five years ago. Marvin Maphet is the single parent of five kids who survived the sudden death of his middle child last June. Each person told us of his or her walk and talk with God. Each person expressed his or her thanksgiving for the way God has guided or healed or sustained. Thank you for investing in your preparation and living so transparently before us for the morning.

Communion closed both services for the morning. How appropriate to end at the table of the Lord. First service worshippers sang The Doxology. Second service worshippers sang “He Loves Us.” Dot Waffird told me her favorite time came when the Senior High Students began to stand spontaneously while we sang. Billie Ragland prepared the elements for first and second service with no idea the second worship would need extras. Pastor Ken Jewett recruited Marla Houser, Treila Garrett, and Jake Resor to help him and extra trays were prepared. Thank you. Thank you for being aware.

One more story you would like to know. The elementary children and middle school students joined second worship on Sunday. When open altars were announced for prayer and the Senior High Students sent their army to pray, a young boy joined them in moving forward. When he got to the altar, Pastor Shane Tarter reached out his arm and took him in to the fold. Shane had no idea who he was. Pastor Carol Waller watched the whole thing happen. The young boy is a quiet, shy child of parents who were serving in another area of the facility. Something moved him. Someone moved him. What a morning.

Soup and Salad and Desserts began our 6:00 PM service. Three and one-half year old Tyler Koon had asked me after the Thanksgiving Dinner blessing why I did not say the “God, our Father” blessing. I asked him if would be willing to ask the blessing at our next meeting and he said he would. So, on Sunday evening, Tyler Koon sang the “God, our Father” blessing loudly and straight into the microphone. Thanks, Tyler. Thanks to Betty Willis for providing organization and leadership to the Advent decorating. Thanks to the Senior High Students for climbing into attics and carrying decorations wherever they needed to go. Thanks to the Breadbreaker Sunday School Class for setting up and breaking down after the social on Sunday. Thanks to Tim Garrett for leading.

Dr. Donny Jackson and JoAnn, Cassidy Nelson and Jon, joined eight other couples on November 19-20, 2010, for a weekend at HCN investing in their marriages. Donny reports it was the best retreat yet but believes a great deal more needs to be done to proactively support healthy marriage relationships. I know the schedules of most of the couples and it is impressive that they created the space and time to attend.

LiveWire Students (middle school) will deliver your Christmas cards (within the church), for a greatly reduced fee than the post office. The cost is 25 cents per card. All proceeds go to offset the cost of the Winter Get Away. Christmas cards are also available that were designed exclusively by LiveWire students. Deliver your cards to the Welcome Desks through December 19, 2010.

For the last few years, many of you have asked how you could help a family who has legitimate needs at Christmas. The pastoral staff has asked that you purchase gift cards that we in turn can distribute to families within the church who are struggling to meet food needs and gifts for children. While you can purchase cards anywhere you would like, cards to grocery stores (Kroger, Publix, etc.) or to Walmart are easiest to use. I can tell you that the cards have fed single parents and babies and provided Christmas gifts to children when there were none to give. If you want, you can drop the cards in the offering plates on Sunday morning and the counting teams will get them to the pastoral staff for distribution. Pastor Rondy Smith sent me an email today telling me that our food pantry is low again due to the number of people who are coming to the church weekly for food. Would you shop for dry staples and leave them in bins in the Center Lobby for the next few Sundays? All of us want to help people who have genuine needs. This is one way to help.

I look forward to Sunday.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

Monday, November 22, 2010

November 22, 2010

The season for Room-in-the-Inn has begun. The Breadbreakers and Young Profes-sionals Sunday School Classes hosted the first group of homeless men on Saturday evening, November 13, 2010. The men were transported to and from downtown Nashville; served a hot evening meal; given a dry, safe place to sleep; offered a hot shower; offered an opportunity to wash clothes; served breakfast on Sunday morning and provided a sack lunch to go. Paul and Pam Stonecipher coordinate the program for HCN. Pam wrote me a personal note saying everything was done well, representing a wonderful kick-off to the fall/winter months.

The All Church Thanksgiving Dinner was served at 5:00 PM on Sunday, November 21, 2010, thanks to all of you who brought vegetables, salads, and desserts, and the turkey, ham, and dressing bakers. Thanks to Joyce Clevenger, Alexandra Whitehead, Bill Lowe, Pam McNeese, Marilyn Jordan, Gay Elkins, Amber Beach, Glen Detwiler, and Beth Rouse for the turkeys and to Kristi Mabry, Donna Wood, Ruth Ann Terrell, Joy Bradley, Tiffany Mathias, Lisa Anderson, Shelly Flint, Barbara Parrish, and Betty Willis for the hams. Thanks to the Early Christian Sunday School Class for providing set-up and clean up for the event. They made the meal easy for the rest of us. I stayed away from the dessert table and ate seconds from all the dishes I ate from the first time. Every morsel of food I put on my plate was delicious. Someone made a cranberry salad that I could eat for dessert.

A tradition began four years ago at HCN for the Sunday after Thanksgiving. It is the telling of significant life stories from members of the congregation. We always go away wishing we did it more often and wishing more had heard. This year includes a senior high woman, a young adult student, and two mature dads: Sophie Zander, Eddie Witkowski, Dennis Scholl, and Marvin Maphet. There will be two services for the morning: 9:00 AM in the Sanctuary and 10:00 AM in the Center. Like the first Sunday of November, we are asking third service people to worship at 10:00 AM and then flip to Sunday School at 11:30 AM. Please pay attention and plan to be present.

Advent begins Sunday, November 28, 2010, in the 6:00 PM service in the Center. Families with last names beginning with letters A-L are asked to bring a pot of soup and dessert. Families with last names beginning with letters M-Z are asked to bring a salad and a dessert. Water and tea will be provided. We will be served and seated first. The light for the first Advent candle will be brought to the wreaths. Christmas stories will be read. Banners and wreaths will be hung. Nativity scenes will be set. Christmas trees will be decorated.

When Sam Green was not able to continue practicing the Christmas music he planned for this year’s choir, Tammy Tarter and I decided to look again at the music/narration previously presented in “A Night of Alleluias.” The Adult Choir responded favorably and the concerts are now set for Sunday, December 12, 2010, at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM. Dr. Tim Green, who wrote the narration for the music, will return as narrator. Tim is Sam’s brother.

Thanksgiving Day arrives this week. I am most grateful for relationships. I am grateful for my family. I am grateful that my daughter is getting married and planning her wedding. Like every other grandparent, I find my grandchildren to be a special delight. I am grateful for my friends. I have spent my entire life in church so the great percentage of my friends are from church. I am thankful that for every person who was mean to me, there were ten who were kind to me. I am thankful that friends can disagree agreeably. Several weeks ago, a friend of mine disagreed with something I said while teaching Sunday School. Imagine that. When Sunday School was over, he waited on me to make sure that he and I were okay. I saw him waiting. I knew what he wanted. We said words but we didn’t need to. Another man in the class wrote me an email saying he had watched and listened to the disagreement. He said he had stayed out of church for years because of all the fussing and fighting. He said he was proud of the way things were handled that morning. I have decided that somebody can say or do almost anything if you know they love you. And we know who loves us, don’t we? I am grateful for the young people at HCN who inspire me. I am so proud of them. I consider the Senior High Students to be one of the finest groups of people I have ever known. I believe God has something considerable to do in and through them. I am grateful for a church board full of intelligent, spiritual, competent leaders who give of their time and combined wisdom. I am grateful for a pastoral staff team of gifted and graced sisters and brothers. One of the brothers is stricken but healing right now. I miss him. I am grateful for the people who step up and pour themselves out so that ministry and mission continue forward while he is absent. I am thankful for people who understand giving. Church doors are open and facilities are available because some people believe that God cares about what you share. I serve full-time in ministry because people give. I am grateful. I am grateful that at fifty-eight years of age, my vision for ministry is wide and not narrow. I know my next-door neighbors and love them. One of them raked the leaves in my yard last Saturday. I know twenty-six little orphan girls in Kenya and love them. I am grateful that God is great and fresh to me. My favorite song to sing in second and third service contains these words: ‘O great and mighty One, with one desire we come, that you might reign, that you would reign in us.” I sing those words. I pray those words. I am grateful for you. When I count my blessings, I count you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

Monday, November 15, 2010

November 15, 2010

“Two By Two: Noah and the Ark” was presented to a packed Center on Sunday, November 14, 2010, at 6:00 PM. The drama/musical was directed by Diane Cater. Cast members included Lamar Bradley (Noah), Jo Apple (Esther), Bryce Fox (Shem), Beth Fox (Rachel), Donny Jackson (Japeth), Kim Kinsley-Herrera (Leah), Matt Wurth (Ham), and Suzanne Karr-Herring (Hannah). Band members included David Flint (guitar), Michael Waller (keyboard), Stephan Scappaticci (percussion). The show was funny, entertaining, light, thoughtful, funny. I am always amazed at the memorization require-ments of such a venture. Thank you, thank you for your time investment and the sharing of your magnificent gifts.

The All Church Thanksgiving Dinner takes place this Sunday, November 21, 2010, at 5:00 PM in The Center. Each family is asked to bring either a salad or vegetable, dessert, and large drink. We ask for volunteers to bring turkeys or hams. We need eight of each and currently have five of each. If you bring a ham or turkey, you do not need to bring anything else. We also need people to make dressing. Call the church office at 847-3335 to volunteer to provide one of the meats.
Congratulations to Daniel Smith, junior class male representative to the Homecoming Court in TNU’s Homecoming festivities. Michael Follis emceed the event as junior class president.
The goal to raise $15,000 to pay maintenance needs for replacing a HVAC unit and making repairs to our sewage system was met in Sunday morning’s offering. $15,251 was designated and received in four weeks. Thank you for caring and responding.

John Reigard and his posse are leading the Mission Africa 2012 Team in preparation for launch in June 2012. The group met last Tuesday evening for a meal in the Parlor and to continue giving attention to the thousand details before mission. If you are considering participating, it is not too late nor is it too early to begin. Vaccinations, passports, fund-raising are all appropriate to pursue now.

I do not always go home from church feeling good about the events of the day. Sometimes, I walk to my car after the last service thinking about the things I wished were different. No matter how good the music was, I still miss Sam. We all miss Sam. Having said that, I walked across the field on Sunday believing in my heart that God was pleased with all of our efforts on Sunday. I am seeing the faces of a lot of young people at the close of services. They are people responding to the message and I know God is the one who has spoken to them and drawn them. I received a facebook post this morning from a young dad in the congregation. His eight year old son left church yesterday and announced he wanted to be a pastor and a missionary. Who knows what he will be but at this point, God has his attention. I wanted you to know that he has mine. I am thankful for yesterday.

Patrick Corey Marlowe is a member of HCN; the father of Jordan Marlowe, the son of Wendell and Sheila Marlowe, the brother of Josh Marlowe. Patrick is a resident of the US Penitentiary in Pollock, LA. A change in policy was recently made at the facility regarding all correspondence sent to residents. Effective immediately, correspondence must include Patrick’s full name or it will be returned to sender. It would be a good time for all us to write Patrick a letter or to send a card to him and let him know that we remember him, think of him, pray for him. Tell Patrick about what is happening in your life and how he can pray for you.

Patrick Corey Marlowe 16762-075
US Penitentiary
PO Box 2099
Pollock, LA 71467

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

Monday, November 8, 2010

November 8, 2010

Congratulations to John and Kristin Jordan on the birth of their daughter, Lanie Kate Jordan, on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, at 1:45 PM at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Lanie Kate weighed 6 lbs 15 ozs and measured 19 ¾ inches in length. She is the sister of Caroline, Gant, and Cooper, and the granddaughter of Marilyn Jordan. We bless the Lord, the giver of life and breath and trust.

Congratulations to Will Miranne, Senior Class President at Donelson Christian Academy, who was chosen a member of the All-Star Cast at the Tennessee Theatre Competition several weeks ago. Will was the only DCA student selected. Congratu-lations to Corey Miranne who was recently elected President of the National Junior Honor Society at DCA.

Congratulations to Mae Beavers who was re-elected Senator of District 17 to the Tennessee Legislature on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. Mae represents citizens from eight different counties.

Congratulations to Mark Greathouse who was presented the McClurkan Award by the Alumni Association at Trevecca’s Homecoming Ceremonies on Friday, November 5, 2010, at TNU. Mark is a Nashville businessman and coordinator of the Heritage Men’s Choir.

Sam Green is home from the hospital even though he returns to the clinic every day to keep him clean from leukemia. When his blood work matches certain numbers, he will begin an infusion of stem cells from his brother, Steve. Sleeping in his own bed and eating food his family prepares is a great reward and comfort.

Ron Barnes visited my office last Wednesday afternoon. He brought a mixed bag of turnip and mustard greens because he knows I love them and would cook and eat them. He also wanted to tell me how much he enjoyed the fifty-five young people from HCN who camped on his farm the previous weekend. Actually, he wanted to brag about them. Actually, he wanted to rave about them. Ron said they were the finest group of young people he had ever been around. He said he used to think he built the cabin in the woods for his own enjoyment but he realizes now that he built it for these kids to enjoy. He said they gave him a standing ovation at a campfire and it was his first. He also said his guests commented on the manners of the kids. I thought parents of the Senior High Students would like to know how their kids act when they are away from them.
Dr. Nina Gunter visited Hermitage Church on Sunday, November 7, 2010, and preached in first and second services. Her command of missional statistics was astounding. I liked everything she said but these are things I liked the most: The Church of the Nazarene is only one of the churches preaching the gospel and reaching the world in the name of Jesus Christ. We are not the only ones. The Church of the Nazarene is one of the ten largest mission organizations in the world. The Church of the Nazarene has a presence in more countries in the world than McDonald’s (and then spoke very favorably toward McDonald’s). In the first century, there was 1 believer for every 300 plus nonbelievers. In 2010, there is 1 believer for every 7 nonbelievers.
God is doing great things in China, Iraq, and Cuba.

Nina sent an email this morning thanking the church for the opportunity to speak and for the honorarium. She said preaching was easy; the Holy Spirit was faithful; and you were kind and responsive. She said this is HCN’s greatest day with the best yet to come.

Five young people reported to the HCN congregation on Sunday evening regarding their mission venture to Eastern Europe in June, 2010. They were Jake Resor, Graham Scott, Anna-Laura Green, Jonathan Mowry, and Daniel Smith. Dr. Kathy Mowry, mission professor at TNU and a member of HCN, coordinated and chaperoned the trip and is currently planning a return for five HCN college students for twelve weeks in 2011. Those students are Daniel Smith, Jake Resor, Graham Scott, Preston Hunt, and Michael Follis. I was proud of the Sunday night crew and of the new team.

Jerry Keener and Phil Jordan addressed the congregation several weeks ago to tell you about a $15,000 maintenance need at the church (replacing a large HVAC unit and plumbing repairs). I told you about the need in this weekly letter. $12,936 has been given to date toward that project. That leaves a $2,064 balance. The church board meets again this Sunday, November 14, 2010, at 4:30 PM. It would be nice for Jerry and Phil to report to the board that all monies are paid. Have you helped yet?

Veterans Day is recognized officially this Thursday, November 11, 2010. Thanks to every man and woman connected to HCN who has served honorably in military service through the years. I asked those who attended the Senior Adults and Friends Luncheon last Friday to share something about themselves that the rest of us were unlikely to know. Shirley Maschinski told us of her two brothers who served on the same ship in the US Navy during World War II. When the ship was sunk, one brother survived and one died.

That puts faces on Veterans Day for me.

Third service schedules return to normal this week. Thanks for making the adjust-ments last week. It was nice to get that hour back from last March.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

Monday, November 1, 2010

November 1, 2010

I need your help on morning schedules for this Sunday, November 7, 2010. Dr. Nina Gunter serves as the opening speaker for a Day of Missions at HCN. We have asked Dr. Gunter to speak in the 9:00 and 10:00 AM services, realizing three services are too much to ask of a guest preacher. That means:

  • Third worship people (11:30 AM) need to attend the second worship service at 10:00 AM and then attend Sunday School at 11:30 AM.
  • College students and The Twenty-Something Class will eat lunch at 12:30 PM in The Parlor as usual.
  • The New Adult Sunday School Class which meets at 10:00 AM and taught by the Paddons will meet as usual. First service people who attend the Paddon’s Class make no changes. Third service people who attend the Paddon’s Class need to think about attending first service.

Remember that this is the Sunday we regain the hour lost from last March. Before you retire to bed on Saturday night or Sunday morning, November 6 or 7, 2010, turn your clocks BACK one hour. Smile and enjoy the extra sixty minutes.

The Mission Europe Team reports to the congregation this Sunday, November 7, 2010, at 6:00 PM in The Center. Six of our college and senior high students served in special capacities last summer in Eastern Europe under the direction of Dr. Kathy Mowry, professor of missions at Trevecca. Plan to be present and hear about last summer’s ministry and the possibilities for the return this summer.

Ron Barnes has invited the Senior High Students from HCN to camp on his farm, in his woods in Livingston, TN, every year since 1995. This year, last weekend specifically, the largest group yet accepted his invitation. Fifty-five students joined seven chaperones as they pitched tents, built fires, hiked, shared life stories, ate great food, and enjoyed devotions led by Scott Moore. Bobby Smith cooked lunches and suppers and Ron Barnes cooked daily breakfast. The repeated reports to me all include: “it was the best one yet.” Campers included Toby Haydel, Dalton Winfree, Kyle Smith, Austin Smith, Brandon Smith, Eric Owens, Paul Poland, Chase Buscherfeld, Taylor Clark, Josh Elkins, Hunter Steinmetz, Thomas Sharpe, Philip Calkins, Grant McCoy, Reed McCoy, Robert Luther, Campbell Scholl, Robby Amity, Matt Bastin, Brett Washing, Jonathan Mowry, Jonathan Tigabu, Nathan Curtis, Justin Angle, Felix Menke, Max Andrade, Ross Drummond, Katie Scott, Adrie Brown, Morgan Harold, Sophie Green, Anna-Laura Green, Cassie Hunt, Jessica Perkins, Emily Paddon, Brittany Crues, Sarah Griffith, Sophie Zander, Stephanie Owens, Katelyn Hogue, Hailey Hicks, Paige Hood, Rachel Jones, Alex Houser, Trevor Hunt, Kevin Helm, Andrew Vines, Madison Trotter, Alex Hamer, Christy Fite, Anna Schilling, Renee Lancaster. Chaperones included Bobby Smith, Mark Washing, Scott Moore, Brady Plummer, Scott Perkins, Hillary Osborne, Shane Tarter. Mike and Gatha (Barnes) Frizsell helped Ron host the group with whatever was needed.

Thanks to Ron for opening his big property and big heart to our teens.

The Candy Parade delivered approximately two hundred children to The HCN Center on Wednesday, October 27, 2010. Each was dressed in the costume they had dreamed and needed a safe place to showcase. They collected more candy than should be legal that will provide sugar highs for weeks to come. It was the first year I had candy rejected. I thought that was the candy your daddy ate. An interesting historical fact: The Candy Parade was the first event held in The Center (October, 2005).

Building One is composed of three rooms: the Worship Room shared by multiple age groups and the Senior High Room with Kitchen. The Worship Room in B1 has a sound and video board which is elevated in the rear of the room. It contains expensive equipment which is easily damaged and set incorrectly. On a regular basis, people who have no knowledge and no business doing so, push buttons and turn dials on that board. The result is that equipment does not work on Sunday mornings and evenings and Tuesday mornings and evenings when large groups are meeting there. Last week, a company repaired and replaced pieces of the system to get it working at peak capacity. It can stay that way if only authorized and trained people operate it. Please help us to be smart about the way we use church property and equipment.

Thank you to the team of people who continue to provide leadership for music ministry in the absence of our Pastor of Worship, Dr. Sam Green. For the second time, leukemia has been chased into remission for Sam. Another bone marrow biopsy will be taken tomorrow (Tuesday), to tell the doctors how clean he remains. The infusion (new word for transplant), of stem cells from Sam’s brother, Steve, awaits. Keep praying. And keep stepping up to fill the choir and band and praise team. You make the difference.

So many times, I want to connect people in this congregation. I meet someone who is from upstate New York and I run to find all of my friends who were born there and now live in middle Tennessee. I am around the incredible senior high men and I want Dr. Greathouse to hear the testimonies of what God is doing in their lives. Several weeks ago, I met a man after second worship named Bill Smith. He told me he had attended HCN for a year. We had never met. I apologized. But I had the sense and the comfort level that we had known each other a long time. I want you to meet Bill. Yesterday, I started at 8:00 AM teaching the Early Christian Sunday School Class, a group of my peers in their fifties, sixties, and seventies. I finished at 2:00 PM, cleaning up The Center Kitchen with the Twenty-Something Sunday School Class after we had eaten lunch with the College Students following Third Worship. There were several young married couples there who were not leaving until the work was done and I wished there was a way for the Early Christians to know these people who were so responsible. I ate lunch at a table filled with college freshmen from Mississippi and I wanted them to meet the Rodney and Tammy Jones family. My life is filled with the privilege of getting to know and meet wonderful people. I am glad I get to know you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

Monday, October 25, 2010

October 25, 2010

Congratulations to Jeremy David Hood and Jamie Renee Wood who were united in marriage in a 3:00 PM ceremony on Saturday, October 23, 2010, in the sanctuary of HCN. Jamie is the daughter of Harry and Donna Wood. She and Jeremy attend first service.

The Fall Fish Fry continues to be my favorite all church social. Wayne McNeese does the lion’s share of carrying responsibility for the event. He recruits the cookers and then snaps the whip. Plate filling began at 5:00 PM yesterday from HCN’s west lawn but the cooking and potato cutting and hush puppy stirring began hours before. Outdoor Cooks included John Jordan, Ken Elkins, Glen Detwiler, Dan Scott, Dean Beach, Tom Stephens,

Paul Stonecipher, Rick Person, Bobby Smith, Tim Garrett, Jason Vines, Ken Willis, Ken Koon, Trey Miles, Ricky McNeese, Paul Vann, Kenny McNeese, Webb Trojan, Bill Jackson, Jonathan Beach, Chris Lewis. Indoor Cooks included Lisa Anderson, Pam McNeese, Kylee Koon, Dianne McNeese, Kim Vann, Dot Waffird, Traci Hollandsworth.

The New Life Sunday School Class provided set-up, service, and clean-up and that included the carting of tables and chairs to and from the yard. The weather was balmy (that means looked like it might rain but did not until we got home). Thank you to every person who labored and made the evening great for the rest of us. I stood and talked and sat and talked and ate and talked. All of the extra food was taken to the mission to feed the homeless. That should make us all happy.

Most of you have received the great news by now but those who depend on this letter for information about the congregation may not know. Our Pastor of Worship, Dr. Sam Green, was informed by his doctors at Centennial Medical Center on Wednesday, October 20, 2010, that his bone marrow biopsy taken the previous Monday shows he is in remission from leukemia. Infusions (new description instead of transplants), of stem cells from his brother, Steve, will be administered when Sam’s blood work reaches appropriate levels. The pastoral staff team visited with Sam this morning. He is a happy man.

HCN has tried to respond carefully and responsibly to Halloween through the years. Christians have differing opinions on what the day is about. So, we try to offer options to our families. We sponsor a Candy Parade inside the Center on the Wednesday night before Halloween for children ages infant to grade 4. That is this Wednesday night, October 27, 2010, at 6:30 PM. We ask families to bring candy for approximately 200 children and to distribute it personally from a long and winding line of chairs. The event is dry and safe for our children. Halloween is scheduled for October 31 every year and for 2010, that day is this Sunday. We have purposefully not scheduled any meetings at HCN this Sunday evening to allow families to make their own decisions regarding trick or treating or distributing candy from their homes. We hope this helps you and makes your family decision-making easier.

Children’s Pastor Carol Waller asked me to tell you that Upward’s Basketball is on schedule for registration, practice, and games. Evaluations take place November 29/30, 2010. Practices begin December 13, 2010. The first games are played on January 15, 2010. Carol is recruiting leadership for all areas and seriously needs your help. Call her at 847-3335 or email her at waller.cw@gmail.com to volunteer.

Jerry Keener and Phil Jordan represented the church board on Sunday morning in making appeals to the congregation for help with the $15,000 need for two major maintenance projects: replacing an HVAC unit in one of children’s wings and completing payment on a major plumbing repair. Just over $5,000 was received on Sunday. Thanks to Paul Stonecipher who worked with the plumbing contractor on Saturday evening and early Sunday morning to get all of the plumbing operational before services.

Is this the Sunday everyone comes back to church? I have missed you. The church is less without you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

Monday, October 18, 2010

October 18, 2010

Congratulations to Sarah Perry, a senior at Goodpasture Christian School in Madison, who was selected as a Senior Homecoming Attendant. Homecoming events are scheduled for Friday, October 22, 2010. Sarah is the daughter of Hal and Melissa Perry.

The HCN Church Board met in regular session on Sunday, October 17, 2010, at 4:30 PM. Jerry Keener reported as chair of the Buildings, Grounds, and Equipment Council that two major maintenance projects need funding immediately. An HVAC unit which services the upper floor of the educational unit built in 1996 is non-functioning and must be replaced. Also, one of two motors for plumbing issues servicing our entire plant has been replaced with major time investment from two companies. Jerry estimates the costs will approximately total $15,000. Your help is needed. Jerry will present the need in the 9:00 AM service and Phil Jordan, chair of the Finance Council, will present the need in the 10:00 AM service. If you would like to help, make checks to HCN and designate “maintenance.”

Sam Green had a bone marrow biopsy performed around noon today to discover if his body is in remission from leukemia. Sam is back in the oncology unit at Centennial. Pray for healing. Pray for Sam’s family.

Thanks to the team that continues to make the music work at HCN in Sam’s absence. Thanks to Ken Stegall and Donny Jackson for stepping up this week for the choir and congregational singing. I would make an appeal to choir members. Participation in the choir last Sunday was weak. That not only affects the music but puts a lot of strain on the choir members who are present. There are ten different ways that singing in the choir week-after-week supports Sam but I do not like guilt as a motivation. What about the opportunity to praise God and express our gratitude to him?

The Fall Fish Fry is scheduled for this Sunday, October 24, 2010, at 5:00 PM on the west lawn of the church. All the frying is done outside. The menu includes fresh fish, homecut potatoes, hushpuppies, slaw, iced tea. You are responsible for bringing a favorite dessert. Hey, if somebody cooks your supper you can take the time to make a homemade dessert. Also, bring a large drink to add to the table. Wear outside clothes and plan to stay outside. Bring lawn chairs or something to spread and sit on. Bring yard games. There will be no entertainment except yourself and your friends. This event is my personal favorite of all-church socials. The Genesis Sunday School Class provides set-up, service, and clean-up. If Wayne McNeese asks for your help, do it, please.

One last word. Do not be casual about the focus of your life. Life is too fragile and brief to not pay attention. Do not wait until you lose what you treasure because you take it for granted. Be awake and give yourself to eternal things.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

Monday, October 11, 2010

October 11, 2010

Bryan and Catherine Segars presented their daughter, Avonlea Grace Segars, in dedication to the Lord on Sunday, October 10, 2010, in the 10:00 AM service. Avonlea was joined at the altar by her sister, Afton; brother, Bennett; grandparents, Joe and Carol Clem, Steve and Maria Segars; aunt and uncles, Mincy and Ray Hines, Jason Segars; cousins, Sarah and Alaina Hines, Stacey Sweeten; great-aunt, Emily Barry. While Catherine sang the blessing song, I carried Avonlea on the blessing journey for lots of love. We bless the Lord who has blessed the Segars with this daughter to nurture in Christian faith.

Congratulations to Sarah Harris, a junior at DCA, named to the HP Scholastic Junior All-American Team selected by the American Junior Golf Association. Sarah is one of twelve girls named to the team. Her nomination was based on excellence on the golf course and in the classroom. Selection was based on grade point average, class rank, SAT/ACT scores, leadership skills, community service, and writing ability. Sarah has helped to lead the DCA Girls Golf Team to state championships in 2007 and 2009, and was the individual state champion in 2009. She has a 4.23 GPA.

Thanks to the musical team which continues to step forward and fill the roles needed in the absence of our Pastor of Worship, Sam Green. First, the staff team visited with Sam this morning at Centennial Medical Center and he is recovering from a weekend virus. The big event this week is the bone marrow biopsy on Friday (October 15), results to be known on Monday evening or Tuesday morning (October 18, 19). If the leukemia is in remission, stem cell transplants from his brother, Steve, are next. Your prayers mean a lot. Second, Tammy Tarter continues to lead the choir and direct congregational singing in first worship. Jeremy Michael led congregational singing in second and third worship with Dorinda Biggs, Paul Vann, and Hunter Steinmetz as support. Jo Apple and Carrie Lounsbury provided keyboards in the absence of Michael Waller and Donny Jackson. Thanks to Willard Brinkman, Randy Layne, Graham Scott, Paul Bolling for providing the core instrumental roles week-after-week.

District Children’s Quizzing has started back. Briley Ruff quizzes in the Red Level. Briley recently earned a gold all star ribbon for one perfect round and a ribbon for memorizing all of his Bible verses. Drew and Daniel Silvernail quiz in the Blue Level with reports to come. Quizzing covers I and II Samuel this year.

Thanks to the Livewire staff and students who put-up The Center chairs on Sunday afternoon: Jameson Scappaticci, Jonathan Silvernail, Bryson Fox, Drew Silvernail, Bryce Poole, Logan Evans, Jacob Paddon, Jake Resor, and Ken Jewett.

These are things that make me know it is October. The Atlanta Braves are playing in post season and breaking my heart. Ron Barnes has brought me the cleanest bag of turnip greens I have ever seen and I am eating them like dessert. Tomato plants are dead and dying. The maple tree in my back yard has turned crimson and is making all the other trees in the yard jealous. I debate in the morning before I grab a short sleeve or long sleeve shirt to wear for the day. I have seen Dr. Beckham for a steroid shot and antibiotics for sinuses. Wilson County Schools have moved to Florida. Wayne McNeese is recruiting fish fryers. Pumpkins are for sale. Braeburns are fresh and crisp. I need to find my rakes.

I look forward to singing with you this Sunday.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

Monday, October 4, 2010

October 4, 2010

Sam Green, HCN Pastor of Worship, is back in Centennial Medical Center for Round Two with leukemia. A next round of chemotherapy began on Friday, October 1, 2010, and will complete on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week. A bone marrow biopsy within ten to fourteen days will reveal whether the chemo has impacted the disease. When Sam is in remission again, his brother, Steve, will be brought back for another donation of stem cells. This withdrawal will target specific resistant units which will put Sam back into recovery. Please add Sam to your prayers. He is a much-loved and much-needed partner in ministry.

Thank you to each person who continues to step-up and fill the places of need in the HCN music ministry. Ken Stegall practiced with the choir on Wednesday evening. Tammy Tarter directed the choir on Sunday morning and led congregational singing in first service. Dorinda Biggs and Tiffany Mathias led congregational singing in second service. Jeremy Michael, Dorinda Biggs, and Dalton Winfree led congregation singing in third service. Wilson County School Break takes multiple members of our band out-of-town this week including two keyboardists, several guitarists, and a percussionist. Michael Waller is recruiting replacements. If you are interested and capable of helping, call the church office at 847-3335. The same goes for people who are willing to assist with leading congregational singing.

I avoid trying to describe what takes place in worship each week, lest I rob the dynamic of what God is doing or harm the spontaneity of those participating. However, as in last week, I feel led to try to describe things I witnessed last Sunday. I came to church on Sunday feeling relatively overwhelmed with all that needed to be done. I knew that Sam was in the hospital on a chemo drip and Rondy Smith had spent the early morning in the ER at Summit with a virus. Anna and I were responsible for the after-third-service meal for the college students so I had been up early cooking. God always provides for me and he did again. I came to third service with the conviction that it may need to be discontinued considering Sam’s diagnosis and all that the service requires of so many people. Donny Jackson, who normally leads singing in Sam’s absence was out-of-town, so Jeremy Michael started vocals, soon joined by Dorinda Biggs. By the second song, the band was good and the vocals were good when out-of-the-blue, a senior high student jumped up on the stage and grabbed a mic and joined in the leading. It was Dalton Winfree. Dalton is a guitarist but I had never seen him try to sing. He was nervous but he followed through with what he came to do. By the last song, most of us were singing with all we had (or had left), and I felt very moved. It was time for prayer, so I asked if there were three members of the congregation who sensed that God wanted them to lead in prayer and there were four quickly gathered on the stage. There were two senior high students, one young woman, and one mature woman. Each prayed with anointing. When it was time to preach, I recognized a special power from the Holy Spirit. At the close of the service, the young woman who prayed came straight to me and told me that just as I was asking for volunteers to pray, God was telling her that she needed to say something, do something for him. She told me how powerful she thought it was that the Holy Spirit would coordinate such things. I am not sure what God plans to do with the 11:30 AM service but I am sure that it is meeting the needs of a particular group of people in a significantly spiritual way. I tell this story to testify to the power and work of God.

Thank you to Janie Mullins, Beth Rice, and Barbara Parrish who made banana puddings for the college lunch. Thanks to Jill Satterlee for staying after second service and helping Anna to set-up the meal for service. Thanks to Ken and Robin Jewett who collected the chicken from the Publix Deli and ran the dishwasher after lunch.

Congratulations to the Mt. Juliet High School Band of Gold which took first place in every category at band competitions held at MTSU in Murfreesboro on Saturday, October 2, 2010. HCN members are Dalton Stephens and Ben Mabry.

Congratulations to Savannah Collins who was chosen seventh grade attendant for the 2010 Homecoming Court of Mt. Juliet Middle School. Savannah is the granddaughter of Darrell and Norma Moody.

Stay focused. God is doing more than we can imagine.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard