February 22, 2010

Nine candidates presented themselves for the sacrament of baptism on Sunday, February 21, 2010, in a 5:00 PM service in the Sanctuary. Pastor Carol Waller baptized Amelia Agee, Alyssa Mannen, Destiny Jones, Katie Grace Russell, and Elizabeth Sweeten. Pastor Shane Tarter baptized Grant McCoy. I baptized Regan Perkins, Kim Vann, and William Warren. Regan has recently invited Christ into her life and immediately wanted to be baptized. The people who joined her were young girls like herself, a teenage guy, a young adult woman, and a dad. The service was a celebration and microcosm of the intergenerational life of HCN. We congratulate those who have followed the example of Christ and are now marked with the mark of Christ. Thanks to Willard Brinkman who cared for the preparation of and emptying of the baptistery.

Congratulations to Tammy Tarter on her selection as Teacher of the Year at Stratton Elementary School in the Metro School System. Tammy was selected as Teacher of the Year ten years ago at Southside Elementary School in the Wilson County School System. You see Tammy each Sunday as she leads the choir in Pastor Sam Green’s absence. It is not hard to believe that Tammy could win the award every year.

This is the huge week for Sam Green. After months of chemotherapy and isolation, Sam receives the bone marrow transplant this Thursday, February 25, 2010, at 10:00 AM at Centennial Medical Center. The transplant includes four million stems cells previously collected from his brother, Steve, who is a perfect match for Sam. Sam will remain hospitalized for two to three weeks following the transplant and then will recover in a one hundred day window. Pray that all of the particular processes which are necessary for Sam’s good health will occur in proper order and proper longevity. Pray for Keli who is staying 24/7 with Sam. Keli’s parents are here living with Anna-Laura, Sophia, and Isabella to keep their lives focused.

One more time, thanks to every person who has stepped forward in HCN’s music ministry to keep worship at its best. Thanks to Tammy Tarter, Donny Jackson, Paul Vann, John Jordan, Beth Fox, Dorinda Biggs, Michael Waller, Willard Brinkman, Randy Layne, Ricky Gore, Paul Bolling, Graham Scott, David Flint, Jay Barfield, Kevin Terry.

Thanks to every choir member who sings week-after-week and makes such a difference for the rest of us as you share your vocal gifts.

Thanks to Suzanne Karr Herring and her husband, Rich Herring, for providing the beautiful “The Old Rugged Cross” for offertories in both services on Sunday, February 21, 2010. Suzanne is a professional vocalist and Rich is a professional guitarist and it showed. We need them back soon.

In the midst of all of the Trevecca students who attend HCN as their home church, there are two Belmont students who attend HCN as their home-away-from-home church. Kevin Terry is a Nazarene kid from Texas who plays the cello in the second service band. That cello sounds so sweet most Sundays that there is at least one place where I am listening to nothing else but the cello. Kevin leaves the Belmont campus every Sunday morning and he and Mandy Strader, another Belmont student make their way to HCN. They did not do that one Sunday and quit when they realized the time it would require. Week-after-week, they drive that drive. Kevin and Mandy are also campus leaders in the Christian Artists Fellowship at Belmont. Both of them have been invited to Russia this summer to play with the Russian Gospel Music Association and then to minister in churches and orphanages in Russia. Each needs to raise $2,500 by April 1, 2010. If you would like to encourage, thank, help Kevin and Mandy, you can send a check for them made out to Artists in Christian Testimony International, Box 1649, Brentwood, TN, 37027-1649. Kevin Terry’s account is #357. Mandy Strader’s account is #358. Kevin said to thank you for your assistance.

Pastor Rondy Smith coordinated a Newcomers Luncheon following second service last Sunday (it was a re-schedule for a snow date). The luncheon was well-attended and provided a excellent opportunity for pastoral staff to meet new people and for new people to meet each other. Attendees were Steve, Deborah, and Travis Walter; Darin and Sue Dobbins; Todd Hildebrand; Jeremy and Heather Michael; Jared and Lynsey Miller; Bill, Mya, and Will Fleming; Susan Pilgreen; Diane Brimm; Beth, Lucas, and Kaitlyn Hogue.

The stories of how they found and stayed at the church are inspiring. They want to meet you. Stroll a little broader in your mingling on Sunday mornings and see if you can find one of these folks. I like them a lot.

HCN facilities and properties could use a lot of TLC from people who know how to clean, paint, repair, mow, rake, etc. We have not scheduled a work day in several years and the time has come. Rather than designate one day, we have discovered that designating several weeks and providing a list of things to do from which you sign up works best. Aaron Foster, chair of our Building, Grounds, and Equipment Council, and our housekeeping team are constructing a list which will be available at Welcome Centers in the Sanctuary Foyer and Center Lobby this Sunday. Would you like a family project to help your church?

I look forward to Sunday. I like being with you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

February 15, 2010

Congratulations to Hope Elkins, starting guard for the Dupont Tyler Middle School Girl’s Basketball Team. The team finished with a perfect 14-0 season. City Tournaments started last week.

Congratulations to Madison McNeese who earned her way onto the Dance Team at Hermitage Dance Academy. The Academy is ranked #8 in the nation. On Saturday, February 13, 2010, Madison received a platinum score (the highest possible), for her selection. She finished in second place in her age group. The competition took place at the Acuff Theatre.

Congratulations to Rachel and Gracie Parman, who are officially black belts in taekwando. Their belts were earned after forty-five minutes of crunches, kicks, sparing, breaking boards and bricks.

Congratulations to the Senior High Students who participated in the District Extravaganza last weekend at the Clarksville Park Lane Church of the Nazarene. First place winners will represent the Tennessee District at TNT in April 2010. Sophia Green participated in middle school vocal solo and art/pencil; placed 1st place in art/oil painting. Anna-Laura Green made 1^st place in mixed media art; 3^rd place in senior high vocal solo; participated in 3 on 3 basketball; made the ultimate Frisbee team. Cali Crosslin made 3^rd place in mixed media art. Brian Brinkman participated in senior high men’s ping-pong and 3 on 3 basketball; made 1^st place in senior high men’s tennis; made the ultimate Frisbee team and the beach volleyball team. Ben Mabry participated in 3 on 3 basketball; made the ultimate Frisbee team and the beach volleyball team. Daniel Jones participated in 3 on 3 basketball; placed 1^st in senior high video production. Reed McCoy participated in 3 on 3 basketball; made the ultimate Frisbee team and the beach volleyball team. Grant McCoy, Ben Griffith, Austin Woodfin, Braden Maphet, Hunter Steinmetz, Philip Caulkins, Toby Haydel, Jonathan Tigabu, and Cassie Hunt participated in 3 on 3 basketball.

Hayley Hill, a senior at Trevecca Nazarene University, has attended HCN for three years. For the last year, she has served in a team of assistants with Middle School and Senior High Ministries. Entering her last semester in college, Hayley wanted broader exposure to urban ministries and is working with the mission pastor at Trevecca Community Church. Her last Sunday with our youth team was January 31, 2010. Thanks to Hayley for her investment in our kids and blessings for her future in ministry.

The New Life Sunday School Class hosted Room-in-the-Inn on Saturday evening February 13, 2010. Ten homeless men were transported from downtown Nashville to our campus for shelter, safety, and food. They were returned to downtown on Sunday morning following breakfast and with a sack lunch for the day. Hosts and hostesses were Judy and Christi Fite, Scott and Glenda Perkins, Jody and Stacey Sweeten, Jordan and Elizabeth Sweeten, Sherry Render, Stephanie Rhodes, Mike and Darlene Miranne, Ronnie and Valerie Marsh, Kendell and Tammy Poole, Bryce and Annalee Poole, Tony Dozier, Troy Haydel, and Scott Moore. Thanks to these servants.

Paul Stonecipher informed me last week that our host nights had increased from five to seven to nine over the years we have participated in Room-in-the-Inn. Because of need, we are considering expanding our host nights and the number of men we serve in the next season. That would require an expansion of our volunteer base and the purchase of more beds. Current beds were purchased as a memorial to Ronnie Mitchell. I think it would be appropriate for Ronnie’s friends to finance the addition of the new beds. Cost is $80 per bed. Write the check to HCN and note for Mitchell Memorial or RITI beds.

I know that may of you are sick of snow and want it to stop. As I write this letter, the ground turned white overnight. It is snowing now. It is predicted to snow through tomorrow. I like it. The street which winds down into my corner of the neighborhood and into my cul-de-sac is treacherous. But so far, the Expedition pulls me out and drives me back in. I hope you are safe. Spring will come soon enough.

The season of Lent begins this Wednesday, February 17, 2010. Lent is a forty day journey to Easter Sunday, minus each Sunday in between. An Ash Wednesday service is scheduled for 6:30 PM in the Sanctuary for all groups. I think classes for nurseries and preschoolers are operational. The service will encourage reflection, confession, repentance, marking ourselves with the sign of the cross, and the beginning of commitments to give up something and to begin to do something. I asked on Sunday morning that you consider the “something to do” as the repair of a relationship, to live with greater love for others. I hope you plan to participate. Lent has the potential to radically change your life. It seems especially meaningful to our children, to our youth. Why could it not do the same for an adult? I do want to mention that it is normal for people to take a rest from their Lenten fast on Sunday. I personally take the break. If you were raised in a church where Lent was not observed, so was I. I have learned to love the symbolism and discipline of Lent. What could be wrong with focusing attention on following after Christ for forty days so that Easter Sunday explodes with meaning and celebration?

I look forward to worship on Sunday. Suzanne Karr Herring sings during Sunday worship, accompanied by her husband, Richard Herring, on the guitar.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

February 8, 2010

Congratulations to Brady Earnhardt who has accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, for the fall of 2010 and signed documents on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, to play Army football. Brady is a senior at Mt. Juliet High School. He is the son of Jay and Cheri Earnhardt, the brother of Collin and Carly Earnhardt. Along with Kendell Poole, I had the privilege to witness the signing and to greet the twenty to thirty guests who gathered in the MJHS library for the event. It is my opinion that Brady’s honor is the result of serious personal effort and a strong family unit. I celebrate both.

MJHS Principal Mel Brown escorted several of the guests on a tour of the school following the ceremony. I was privileged to join him. The facility is one of the finest in the area and the principal is the same. He knew every student I named who attends HCN.

On Friday, February 5, 2010, I attended a meeting of the Community Resource Board at the Charles Bass Correctional Complex. The chaplain invited me during a recent visit to an inmate. I met the warden, university professors, businessmen, counselors, and several inmates. It was a whole other world from Wednesday at the high school. It helped to balance my world.

Lance Waller recruited Ed Gonyea and Kip Nettles from Atlanta, Georgia, to sing in a men’s trio on Sunday, February 7, 2010. It is an understatement to say that they were crowd favorites. I think some of their groupies from first service traveled down to second service to hear them again. Thanks to Lance, Ed, and Kip.

Centron Felder visited second service on Sunday with his friends, Jonathan and Missy Shultz. Centron has just returned to the USA following a year of military service in Afghanistan. His safe return to his family is one our answers to prayer. He was greeted as a hero.

Worship Pastor Sam Green was also present in worship services on Sunday following a four Sunday absence. It was good to see Sam and to have him lead congregational singing. Steve Green, Sam’s oldest brother, had stem cells harvested this morning (Monday), at the Sarah Canon Cancer Center at Centennial Medical Center. The cells will provide the donor material for Sam’s bone marrow transplant on February 25, 2010. They needed to harvest 4 million cells for the transplant but the harvest yielded 7 million. Is that amazing?

A baptismal service is scheduled for Sunday, February 21, 2010, at 5:00 PM in the HCN Sanctuary. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ and would like to identify yourself as his follower, you need to submit to the sacrament of baptism. Call the church office at 847-3335 and ask that your name be included on the candidates list.

We missed the reception of the fall Alabaster offering so your containers of change should be running over. We will receive the offering at the opening of worship on Sunday, February 28, 2010, in both worship services. Alabaster offerings are used 100% for the construction of buildings on mission fields where finances are limited or non-existent. Barbara Douthit, a relatively new Nazarene, was on vacation in Belize several weeks ago, when the tour she was on traveled past the district office of the Church of the Nazarene and a Nazarene church. She told the Early Christian Sunday School Class: “It was good to go to another country and see my church doing the work that needs to be done.” It is highly probable that all of those mission buildings were financed by Alabaster Offerings.

The Mission Africa’10 Group meets on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, at 6:30 PM in the kitchen and recreation room of Building One. The group lacks two people from being full. Is it possible that you are supposed to be on this trip and have not stepped forward?

Do you have your passport? Have you started your shots?

I look forward to being with you on Sunday.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

February 1, 2010

The snow days we wished for, hoped for, prayed for over the last six years came as forecast on Friday, January 29, 2010. I bought groceries on Thursday morning so that if the blizzard materialized, there would be food to eat for days, even weeks. Anna flung open the blinds on every window in our house and we quit worrying about who might see in so that we could see out. Friday was a day to sit and watch and read and nap and snack and flip television channels. It was an excused lazy day. No one expected you to be somewhere or to keep a schedule. Those days do not come often enough. I liked it.

Aaron Foster, Robert Parrish, and Jerry Keener came over to the church on Saturday afternoon and cleared sidewalks and driveways. Pastor Shane Tarter and the Senior High Students set up chairs in The Center. Jody Scott went on contact alert and sent emails and made phone calls. On Sunday morning, doors were opened and greeters were in place and band members drove in from Trevecca and Hendersonville. There were twenty members in the choir. Close to 300 people crawled out of their houses and drove in their cars to HCN to attend the 10:00 AM service. Randy Layne told me services like Sunday are sweet and I think he was accurate.

I had a pre-service conversation with Dakota Biggs (five years old), about the adventures of sledding at his house. I told him I liked sledding but I did not like walking back up the hill after going down the hill. He told me it was better if you could run and then he demonstrated how fast he could run. I do not think I would like running up the hill either but I enjoyed the dialogue with Dakota.

Last summer, I began to talk with a friend about a backpack program wherein children from homes without resources are provided food for the weekend through a local school. Churches adopt a school. A resource official at the school decides how many children are at risk. The church purchases the supplies and delivers the food to the school weekly. The school privately sends the food home with the child each Friday. My friend researched all the details and identified an elementary school in Wilson County which was unassisted. When I mentioned the opportunity in pastoral staff meeting, Pastor Carol Waller asked if the children in our church could sponsor the ministry. Adult Sunday School classes share the costs and the kids buy the food and sort it for delivery. My friend delivers the food. I tell you this story because I had forgotten about the program until several weeks ago. My friend told me the school had asked if they could add several more needy kids. When I talked to Carol about it, she told me the kids were already added. I worried about whether our money was adequate until Scott Steinmetz, our church treasurer, told me the reserve for the backpack program is healthy. I thought you would like to know that. I like knowing it.

A mother wrote me an email rejoicing that her child had asked the Lord Jesus into her heart and asked if it was possible for her child to be baptized. We have scheduled a service on Sunday, February 21, 2010, at 5:00 PM in the Sanctuary to observe the sacrament of baptism. If you believe in Jesus Christ and have received him into your life, you, too, should be baptized. It is my experience that people wait for years to be baptized and then are too embarrassed to tell anyone they are not baptized. This is the time and place to step forward and to follow Christ into the baptismal waters. Call the church at 847-3335 and put your name on a growing list.

I am hoping that the snow showers which are forecast for this Saturday and Sunday will not keep us from a regular schedule of services. However, if it does snow again and roads are hazardous, remember that our severe weather schedule includes one service at 10:00 AM.

I look forward to singing with you on Sunday.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard