January 25, 2010

Congratulations to Bryan and Catherine Segars on the birth of their daughter, Avonlea Grace Segars, on Thursday, January 21, 2010, at 11:35 AM at Centennial Women’s Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Avonlea weighed 7 lbs 14 ozs and measured 19 ¼ inches in length. She is the sister of Afton and Bennett; granddaughter of Joe and Carol Clem; cousin of Jody, Stacey, Jordan, and Elizabeth Sweeten. I arrived at the hospital twenty-five minutes after Avonlea was born and was allowed to hold her and pray for her. She was the most alert baby I have ever seen. I think she was delivered with eyes wide open. We bless the Lord who has blessed Bryan and Catherine with a child to love and to teach the ways of the Lord.

Senior High Students hosted Room-in-the-Inn at HCN on Saturday evening, January 23, 2010. They set up beds for sleeping; planned and served Saturday supper and Sunday breakfast; and handed out lunches to eat on Sunday. Showers were available for bathing and a washer and dryer were available for cleaning clothes. Students who provided the hospitality were Alex Hamer, Scott Primm, Katelyn Houge, Taylor Steinmetz, Jonathan Tigabu, Dalton Winfree, Robby Amity, Jonathan Mowry, Josh Cater, Nathan Curtis, Reed McCoy, Ross Drummond, Grant McCoy, Ben Mabry, Matthew Bastin, Daniel Jones, Lucas Hogue, Austin Woodfin, Madison Trotter, Evan Hollingsworth, Will Miranne, Brandon Shepard, Cassie Hunt, Cali Crosslin, Jessica Long, Braden Maphet, Ben Griffith, Brian Brinkman, Phillip Caulkins, Hunter Steinmetz, Bret Washing. Others who provided supervision and food were Paul, Pam, and Christy Stonecipher, Darlene Miranne, Gina Winfree, Kristi Mabry, Jon Alderman, Debbie Alderman, Sandra Hunt, Feli Tigabu, Marileigh Mabry, Beth Houge, Carolyn Washing, Tammy Jones, Beth and Callie Rice, Pastor Shane Tarter. We are thankful to God for the opportunity to serve these homeless men believing that as we do, we feed and house and serve the Lord.

Drs. Larry and Gay Leonard visited Hermitage on Sunday, January 24, 2010, where Dr. Leonard spoke in each morning worship service. Dr. Leonard is the superintendent of the Tennessee District Church of the Nazarene. He and Gay were received graciously by the people in both services. The Leonards loved the church and most especially the spirit of the church. He said it made him homesick for pastoring. Someone in first service told him it was good to have him but if he had come to take the pastor away then he could leave. He said they spoke kindly.

I arrive on the church campus each Sunday morning between 7:45 and 7:50 AM. I park my car at the western most end of the campus beside of the storage buildings. I return to my car at the completion of second service between 11:45 and 11:50 AM. Because I am inside the facilities during services, I never know how many cars drive in and out of the parking lots and how accessible parking is for each car. Last week, two of the greeters passed a complaint on to me that came from someone who could not find parking. Thus, this request comes to you. If you attend second service and do not mind parking on the graveled lot, would you begin to park there and allow others to park on the paved surfaces. It is a small way that we give up our rights as we serve others. As we move toward Easter, parking will become more difficult and we need to make space for everyone who desires to attend worship here. Thanks for the cooperation.

Pastor of Worship, Sam Green, plans to be present and leading music over the next few weeks. His blood counts continue to recover from the last round of chemo. I told Sam that he could not jeopardize his health and recovery by returning to worship with us (where he wants to be), when he needed to stay home another week. His bone marrow transplant takes place on February 25, 2010. Pray for Sam’s good health.

I am thankful to God for you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

January 19, 2010

Pastor Shane Tarter led twenty-four guys, nineteen girls, and seven chaperones on the Annual Senior High Retreat to Gatlinburg last Friday to Monday, January 15-18, 2010. Student names are Dalton, Taylor, Jonathan, Jessica, Alyssa, Anna-Laura, Sophie, Emily, Whitney, Brian, Katelyn, Ben G., Ben M., Hunter, Daniel, Grant, Reed, J.T., Will, Brett, Lucas, Austin, Braden, Toby, Scott, Evan, Eric, Justin, Robert, Phillip, Matt, Cassie, Morgan, Presley, Miranda, Alex, Ashley, Claire, Clarissa, Amanda, Paige, Kristy, Cali.

Chaperones included Shane, Barry Whitehead, Holly Steinmetz, Tracy Haydel, Darlene Miranne, Gina Winfree, Kristi Dozier. I know they arrived safely in Gatlinburg and safely home and that according to facebook posts, it was the best retreat yet. They wanted another day. Take advantage of the opportunity to talk to the students and ask how things went.

Phil Jordan serves as the chairperson of the HCN Finance Council and the recording secretary of all giving to the church. He is a trusted, long-serving member of the church. He is extremely private with your personal information. This Sunday, January 24, 2010, Phil will be present in the foyer of The Sanctuary following 9:00 AM worship and in the lobby of The Center following 10:15 AM worship to distribute envelopes containing the record of your giving to HCN for the 2009 calendar year. The information is printed on IRS approved forms and signed by Phil and myself. Phil will distribute these envelopes for two weeks and then we will begin to find addresses and mail those not distributed. Please check your record and if the form you receive does not agree with your record of giving, please contact the church office and we will contact Phil.

A major earthquake measuring 7.0 magnitude struck the nation of Haiti on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. It is suspected that more than 100,000 are dead from the affects of the quake with at least 3 million people affected. There are more than 115,000 Nazarenes in Haiti. The churches they represent are working to provide water, tents, basic supplies to the people. Our elementary children have already prepared 114 Crisis Care Kits which are enroute to Nashville First this morning for transporting. Last Sunday morning our children held each bag and prayed for those who would receive them. If you would like to give through an agency which will guarantee the 100% delivery of your gift to assist the Haitians, visit www.ncm.org/HaitiEarthquake. NCM represents Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.

Six years ago, a mother of two young men at HCN became severely convicted that the church needed to address the issue of sexual purity with our young people. This conviction was provoked by listening to a radio program and then reading a book. We tested her conviction by asking that she work in a leadership position to make something happen. She was shy and not inclined to being in up front situations, but she agreed out of her love for her children. What emerged from that impetus was a developed curriculum and small group process which includes every middle school and high school student and their parents. The church teaches it every other year. LiveWire Students begin the curriculum this week. They will tackle the issues of dating and sexuality by processing how faith impacts our choices. Carol Waller will lead the class for parents. Group leaders are carefully recruited and selected. Please make it a priority to involve your young person in these classes.

Sam Green’s bone marrow transplant date is now published: Thursday, February 25, 2010. Pray for Sam’s good health leading to the transplant and for the hundred day window which follows for his cure.

The Mission Africa Group traveling to Kenya this June 10 to June 27, 2010, meets for their first dinner group meeting on Thursday, January 21, 2010, at 6:30 PM in The Parlor. Each person is to bring a favorite salad or vegetable dish. The meeting will last until 8:00 PM. Deadlines for various documentation will be shared. Rob Mathias has accepted my invitation to serve as administrator for our group.

I am full of faith for the way God leads our community at HCN. I hope you are engaged in a small group, in a place of worship, in a place of service. I love you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

January 11, 2010

Congratulations to Cole and Erica Ebel on the birth of their son, Cason Paul Ebel, on January 4, 2010, at 3:52 PM at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. Cason weighed 7 lbs 9 ozs and measured 21 inches in length. He is the brother of Colin Ebel; the grandson of Jeff and Sally Ebel; the nephew of April and Eric Branscum, Clint Ebel; the cousin of Erikson Branscum. Erica delivered a healthy baby without meds. We give thanks to the Lord for answered prayer and for the blessing of a child into the lives of Cole and Erica.

Congratulations to Hannah Garrett, 2009 Track Champion in Heavy Honda. Hannah will drive in the Monster Trucks at the Sommet Center on Saturday, January 16, 2010, at 6:00 PM.

Early Christians hosted Room-in-the-Inn at HCN on Saturday, January 9, 2010. Jon Alderman drove the van from downtown Nashville which brought ten homeless men to our campus for food; a dry, warm, safe place to sleep; a place to shower and to wash clothes; a place to be spoken to and treated with dignity. Thanks to the following families who represented all of us: Freddie and Norma Jean Stroupe, Glen and Pat Detwiler, John and Melinda Knott, Ken and Betty Willis, Ted and Becky Martin, Bobby and Linda Meadows, Paul and Pam Stonecipher, Christy Stonecipher, Robert and Barbara Parrish, Tommy and Mary Ann Boner. Last week when the temperatures were so low, The Tennessean reported there would be up to seventy-five people per night who would be turned away from already-full shelters in Nashville. Could you imagine sleeping under a bridge last week?

Pastor Ken Jewett and four HCN college men attended the Passion Conference in Atlanta on an extended weekend of January 2-5, 2010. Michael Follis, Graham Scott, Derek Brinkman, and Daniel Smith gathered in the Philips Arena with 21,000 plus people from ages 18-25 years for a great spiritual stirring. If you are friends with Daniel Smith on facebook, you need to read his blog entitled “Don’t Count Out College Students—Thoughts and Stories from Passion 2010 ATL.”

Sam Green is home from the hospital and his last major chemotherapy. Sam’s brother and bone marrow donor, Steve Green, was instructed to report to Centennial on January 29, 2010, for the beginning of his process. Sam believes his transplant will come the first of February 2010. Continue to pray for Sam’s complete healing.

I am one of the people who makes fun of the Wilson County School System when they close schools because they THINK inclement weather is coming. Yet, having said that, I did not like being in the position of trying to decide what was best for worship schedules on Sunday, January 10, 2010. While major roads were cleared, side roads remained sheets of ice including the road off of Saundersville Road and onto the church property. My neighborhood cul-de-sac remains solid ice this morning. On Saturday morning, we made a decision to move to a pre-existing harsh weather schedule for Sunday: one service at 10:00 AM in The Center. The information went out to SS teachers and age level directors to contact their own small groups and the information went to local television stations for their streaming announcements. I realize how imperfect the system is and I apologize if you were missed in broadcasting the announce-ment. For the rest of this winter, we will move to this schedule again if roads are hindered by ice or snow.

A word of reminder if you sponsored poinsettias for the church at Christmas: Senior High Students handle the ordering and delivery of flowers to the church at Christmas and Easter. It is a service to the church and a small fundraiser. When sponsors fail to pay for their flowers, it is the Senior High Budget that takes a hit. If you have not paid for your flowers yet, take the time to write the check and drop it in the plate on Sunday. The fund is currently at a deficit.

I believe God is doing great things in many of you. May his stirring, his awakening continue.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

January 4, 2010

HCN celebrates the Wesleyan Covenant Service on the first Sunday of each new year in morning worship services. I compare it to having a physical at the first of every year. Instead of x-rays and ct scans and blood tests, the Holy Spirit turns us outside in and inside out, pointing out the places in our lives which need confession and repentance and profession. Our pastoral staff debates whether it is the visitor friendly service needed for all the people who decided over the holidays to begin to attend church. I argue on the side that it is fun to trust God to handle that. I know that any one of the songs we sing as a congregation or any one of the vocals sung by solo or duet or choir can melt me away. Thanks to the HCN Choir, Catherine Segars, Sam and Keli Green, Miriam McMillan, and Dorinda Biggs for singing. Thanks to Willard Brinkman, Michael Waller, David Flint, Randy Layne, Ricky Gore, and Paul Bolling for providing the excellent instrumentals. Thanks to Billie Ragland for preparing communion service. Thanks to the Church Board for assisting the service of communion. Sam Green’s chemotherapy was held a week by his doctor so his blood counts could recover. That decision allowed Sam to be present and to direct and to sing. In the course of time, it is all God’s time anyway. If the Covenant Service is one of your favorite and rings all of your bells, I rejoice. If the Covenant Service loses you in the liturgy, trust that it is likely God will ring your bells on another Sunday.

As I write this letter, Sam Green called to tell me that his cardiologist appointment went perfectly this morning. The echocardiogram shows that Sam’s heart has returned to normal. The affliction he suffered since his last chemo is over and his treatment for acute leukemia is back on course.

The new menu for small groups on Wednesday and Sunday evenings begin this January 6 and 10, 2010. Because there was an opening on Sunday, January 3, 2010, I asked Pastor Shane Tarter to ask the Building One Senior High Students to meet with me at 5:00 PM to prepare for all of us at 6:00 PM. I am so impressed with this particular group of young people and I want more of you to meet them. I asked them to work in groups of four to lead discussion at round tables in The Center. I previewed eight questions with them. For close to one hour, there were seven centers of testimony and prayer. The evening closed with groups locating in a private place in The Center and speaking an open word and praying blessings. Close to one hundred people participated. All the adults left raving about the students at their table. One woman told me she wanted for her middle school children what she witnessed in the high schools students. One woman went home and emailed parents of students at her table and told them how wonderful their kids were. For a long time, we have believed that our primary mission field is the group of young people God has delivered to us to reach and teach. Sunday night was a vision of the harvest.

There is something good to be spoken for the routine. Schools and jobs return us to schedules this week. Bedtimes are restored. Services and Sunday School at church returned to normal on Sunday and await your return. I hope your Christmas and New Year allowed you rest and extra time with people you love. 2010 holds great opportunity.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard