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 1st place in mixed media art; 3rd place in senior high vocal solo; participated in 3 on 3 basketball; made the ultimate Frisbee team. Cali Crosslin made 3rd place in mixed media art. Brian Brinkman participated in senior high men’s ping-pong and 3 on 3 basketball; made 1st 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 1st 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
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