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
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