March 29, 2010

Congratulations to Jeff and Suzanne Butler on the birth of their daughter, Zoie Raye Butler, on Thursday, March 25, 2010, at 10:13 AM at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. Zoie weighed 5 lbs 11 ozs and measured 19 inches in length. She has lots of dark hair and a beautiful little face that Jeff says looks just like Suzanne. Zoie is the granddaughter of Harry and Donna Wood. We bless the Lord who has blessed the Butlers with a child to love and to serve him.

Men’s Ministry hosted Room-in-the-Inn on Saturday-Sunday, March 27-28, 2010, at HCN. Ten men without a home of their own were transported to and from downtown Nashville; fed a hot supper; given opportunity to shower and wash their clothes; provided a safe, dry, warm place to sleep; fed breakfast and given a sack lunch to go. The men were treated with respect in conversation and hospitality. Hosts and hostesses included Jon and Jacob Paddon, Herb McMillan, Joe Walker, Ken Elkins, David, Jonathan, and Drew Silvernail, Ronnie, Pam, and Brittany Crues, Alan, Angie, Josh, and Abby Elkins, Wayne McNeese, Jon Alderman, Trey and Hudson Miles, Derrick and Patrick Holderby, Jamie Slocum, Rob and Michael Mathias, Tim Garrett, Donna Shankle, Beth Rice, Becky Evans, Jerry Wallace, Julie Baggott, Mike Orrick, and Tony Dozier. This was the last night of hosting for this season.

HCN presented an encore of “One Voice” on Sunday, March 28, 2010, at 9:00 and 10:30 AM in The Center. Dr. Sam Green, our Pastor of Worship, suggested the option and it was not a hard sale to me. I love the narrative. I love the characters. I love the words of the music. Tammy Tarter rehearsed and directed the choir and Yori Taylor rehearsed and directed the drama. All major characters agreed to resume their roles and new heroes and heroines stepped up for casting. Choir members included Lisa Anderson, Jo Apple, Dorinda Biggs, Joy Bradley, Joyce Clevenger, Deborah Coppedge, Janeene Davis, Julie Foster, Beth Fox, Anna-Laura Green, Keli Green, Marvin Heath, Jennifer Humphries, JoAnn Jackson, Marilyn Keener, Sandra Kurtz, Becky Martin, Tiffany Mathias, Pam McNeese, Herb McMillan, Miriam McMillan, Ryan Means, Liz Plott, Anna Plummer, Amy Ruff, Ken Stegall, Tom Stephens, Emily Sullivan, Tammy Tarter, Carrie Wagner, Betty Willis. The cast of characters included Ed Gonyea (John the Baptist), Bryce Fox (Joseph of Arimathea), Jeff Cater (Jesus), Laura Hughes (Reumah, sister of Nicodemus), Herb McMillan (Nicodemus), Beth Fox (Leah, Joseph’s wife), Anna-Laura Green, Carrie Wagner, Stephan Scappaticci, Lamar Bradley, Ted Brown, Ken Stegall, Marvin Heath, Ryan Means, Liz Plott (Tamar), Joel Widmer, Miriam McMillan, Barry Whitehead. The cast of children included Bryson Fox, Brielle Fox, Brooklyn Fox, Tyler Koon, Trey McNeese, Madi McNeese, Lydia Foster, Ethan Foster, Elizabeth Foster, Bethany Ruff, Briley Ruff, Breelyn Ruff, Alex Sullivan, Annie Cater, and Marileigh Mabry. Brian Biggs and Robert Sullivan served as audio and lighting technicians. Daniel Smith, Preston Hunt, Daniel Jones, and Graham Scott served as lighting assistants. Sophie Green and Isabella Green served as stage hands. Glen Detwiler and Billy Swoner prepared the stage extensions. Beth Willis, Ken Willis, Larry Tarter, Tammy Tarter, Anna Plummer, Joy Bradley, and Brian Brinkman constructed the set design. Miriam McMillan located and prepared the costumes. Keli Green led the make-up team. Thank you to every person who memorized lines and movements, sang the music, or prepared any portion of the presentation. We are grateful for the story told.

The Easter Egg Hunt began at 5:00 PM for children from infancy through grade 4. There were thousands and thousands of eggs and not hard to find. A fine mist began when the children first went outside but not enough to keep the hunters inside. Thank you to every person who bought an egg, filled it with candy, and brought it to church for a child to find. You participated in a wonderful memory.

The Cooking Team, led by Wayne McNeese, had bought the hotdogs, hamburgers, rolls, and all the fixings and came to church much earlier than me to cook and slice. Thanks to grillers Kenny McNeese, Ken Koon, Trey Miles, Ronnie Marsh, Jon Nelson, Ricky McNeese, and Paul Stonecipher. Thanks to the kitchen crew for slicing, dicing, and layering: Lisa Anderson, Pam McNeese, Dianne McNeese, Pam Stonecipher, Kylee Koon. Thanks to the Early Christian Sunday School Class for setting-up, cleaning-up, and breaking down tables and chairs in The Center. Thanks to the Senior High Teens for handling the bulk of the break-down and storage. More than one person commented on how wonderful it was to sit for long spells and enjoy the conversation and fellowship of each other. I sat with the Kyle family and caught up on their lives and ministry desires.

This week is Holy Week. It began with Palm Sunday last Sunday, March 28, 2010, and continues through Easter Sunday, this Sunday, April 4, 2010. Please pay attention to the following opportunities for reflection and worship.

• From Tuesday through Saturday of this week, twelve stations set up in the Building One Worship Center invite us on a Journey to the Cross. It is an interactive, multi-sensory opportunity to reflect on the last week in the life of Jesus. Sign-up via email at jodyscott01@bellsouth.net or call the church office at 847-3335.
• A Maundy Thursday Service of Shadows meets in The Sanctuary on Thursday, April 1, 2010, at 6:30 PM. The service includes scripture readings, the extinguishing of candles, congregational singing, communion, and an exit into darkness.
• Easter Sunday Services meet at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM in The Center. The service is constructed to include sections on both the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Dr. Sam Green returns for the first time since his bone marrow transplant to lead congregational, instrumental, and choir music.

Pay attention to how and where you park so that everyone has a place. If you park on the grass, be careful. Soccer season has just begun and lots of care has gone into preparation of the field. Remember to invite your unchurched friends, neighbors, and relatives to the attend worship with you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

March 22, 2010

Congratulations to Patricia Ann Ragland and Paul Douglas Barger who were joined in marriage on Friday, March 19, 2010, at 4:00 PM in the Hermitage Church Sanctuary. I had the privilege to preside at the ceremony. Billie Ragland is Tricia’s mother and I asked Billie if I could write this in this letter. Tricia and Paul are both in their early forties and this is the first time either of them have been married. They waited for each other.

Paul and Glenda Bolling presented their son, Liam Finnten Bolling, in dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 21, 2010, at 10:15 AM in The Center. Liam was joined at the altar by his brother, Caeden; grandparents, cousins, and friends. He made the barefoot journey to the blessing song and enjoyed the tugs on his toes. We bless the Lord who has blessed the Bollings with a child to care for and to love for him.

Congratulation to Rachel Thimell who was selected the Student of the Year at Donelson Middle School. She will be recognized at a luncheon on April 8, 2010, at the Springhouse Golf Clubhouse. Rachel is the daughter of Joel Thimell.

Congratulations to Coach Gary Van Atta and to K.C. Van Atta on the successful completion of their 2009-2010 basketball season with Trevecca Nazarene University’s Lady Trojans. Trevecca advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NAIA Division 1 National Championships in an upset win over third seed William Woods. The season ended, however, in the second round with a loss to Campbellsville.

Did you see The Tennessean’s article on Lucy Cline posted outside the nursery and outside The Center? The article chronicles Lucy’s life in retirement from nursing. She serves as a docent at the Frist Center; takes art classes at UT, Watkins College of Art, and Vol State; translates Mandarin Chinese between doctors and patients at Vandy and a hospital in LA; plays at weekly music sessions at the Mt. Juliet Senior Center and leads ballroom dance classes. What a life! There are great photos accompanying the article.

The Genesis Sunday School Class hosted Room-in-the-Inn at HCN on Saturday-Sunday, March 13-14, 2010. Ten men without a home were welcomed to a hot, home-cooked supper; warm, dry beds; opportunities to shower and wash and dry clothes; a hot breakfast and lunch to go. Cooks, chaperones, and helpers were Ricky and Dianne McNeese, Wayne and Pam McNeese, Kylee and Ken Koon, Shelly Flint, Lisa Anderson, Melva Strickland, Beth Seaman, Becky Evans, Dot Waffird, Erika Mannen, Carol Clem, Paul and Pam Stonecipher, Jon Alderman, Marvin Heath, Rob Mathias, Bryce Poole, Rhonda Ward, Beth Rice, Mark and Carolyn Washing. Thank you for representing Jesus and his church.

The Early Christian Sunday School Class prepared the beans, potatoes, and cornbread for the Poverty Dinner on Sunday. Cooks were Charles and Nancy Jewell, Herb and Miriam McMillan, Tommy and Mary Ann Boner, Bill Manley, Angela Draper, Paul and Patty West, Ruthanne Terrell, Dot Waffird, Shirley Maschinski, Marilyn Jordan, Art and Sandra Kurtz, Ken and Betty Willis, Jerry and Marilyn Keener, Ken and Gay Elkins, Glen and Pat Detwiler, Harry and Donna Wood, Bob and Wanda Bishop, Chuck and Lucy Cline, Bill and Dean Jackson, John and Melinda Knott. Contributions given at the meal totaled $1,098. Monies given last week and this week in the regular offering totaled $190. All monies are divided equally between feeding the needy in our middle Tennessee community and feeding the hungry in Kali Market, Kenya, through World Servants. Thanks to Donna Wood for asking me after Sunday School if I needed help setting up and to all the people who responded to the spontaneous appeal to help.

Palmer Maphet is a freshman at Tennessee Tech University who has attended HCN since his junior year at Mt. Juliet High School. When he moved to Cookeville, he immediately connected himself to Christian service groups and worship in a local church. Palmer was selected to be a member of a travel team this summer to northern Maine where he will work with other college students in evangelistic work. He needs to raise $600 of support to help pay for airline tickets and other expenses. If you are led to support Palmer, make checks payable to BCM Missions (memo: Palmer Maphet) and mail to his home address of 1711 Country Haven Ct., Mt. Juliet, TN 37122-5029. This is a focused, committed young man who is worthy of our support.

The Easter Egg Bins are looking puny and Children’s Pastor Carol Waller told me in pastoral staff meeting this morning that it was time to beg for eggs. She even suggested I talk about children crying from disappointment if I needed to do so. As always, we need your help. Would you purchase plastic eggs and fill them with non-chocolate candy and donate them to the church for this Sunday’s (March 28, 2010) Easter Egg Hunt at 5:00 PM? Leave the eggs in the metal containers in The Center Lobby on Wednesday night or on Sunday morning and they will be hidden on the west lawn of the church for finding.

It is a little thing with large appreciation.

Also, the Cooking Team plans to grill hamburgers and hotdogs for our consumption following the hunt. The church provides meat, paper products, and condiments. We bring the salads, drinks, and desserts. Bring your lawn chairs and outdoor games and plan to spend the evening together.

Have you taken the risk to invite someone for the “One Voice” presentation this Sunday, March 28, 2010, at 9:00 or 10:30 AM in The Center? Remember that Sunday School Classes do not meet on Sunday to help with transitions in services. There will be parking assistants in the parking lots to help find spaces.

As I close this letter, I am thinking of a young couple in the community whose two-year-old daughter died during the night. Their pain and grief make everything else seem small. Life is fragile. Pray for broken hearts.

In Christ Jesus,

Howard Plummer

March 15, 2010

Victor and Jonna Taylor presented their daughter, Abigail Grace Taylor, in dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 14, 2010, at 10:15 AM in The Center. Abigail was joined at the altar by generations of grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Dorinda Biggs sang the dedication song, “In His Arms,” accompanied by the sensational band. Michael Waller wrote out a chart to the song and the band played it after one run-through. Abigail smiled her way through the blessing journey and tolerated her dedication prayer. We bless the Lord who has blessed the Taylors with a child to love for him.

When Ronnie Thompson left HCN to pastor in Arkansas, Ray Render volunteered to take on leadership for Upwards Sports Ministries at the church. For most churches, the job would have included one to two sports but at HCN it included basketball, soccer, and flag football. Ray has just completed basketball season and is getting ready to start soccer. Pastor Carol Waller came to staff meeting last week bragging on the exceptional organization she encountered at soccer registration for her child. I have expressed my appreciation to Ray for the quality of the program he runs and the time investment he and Sheri make. His response to me was that he needs more people to step up and take responsibility in different areas. He has one great need: a coach for the 3^rd/4^th grade soccer team. If you would be willing to serve in this role, call the church office at 847-3335. We will get the information to Ray. Could I emphasize that the need is immediate?

Children in Grades 1-4 have participated in a Compassionate Ministries Class on Sunday evenings at HCN. They made lap blankets and delivered them to residents of McKendree Village last evening. They also spent an hour in conversation with the residents. There are emails at the church this morning expressing appreciation to the kids with an invitation to return in the summer for cookies and lemonade. Photos are posted on the church website.

Roger King is a young man who has spent his entire life in the Hermitage community. He is a graduate of DCA who began attending HCN last year. He asked me recently if he could contribute to the life of the church with an introduction to Crossfit training. I asked him who would qualify and this is what he wrote: someone who wants to get in shape but can’t face going to a gym; someone who has lost interest in their gym routine; someone who thinks they do not have time to exercise; someone who wants to get faster and stronger in their sport; someone who is no longer seeing results from current training regime. Workouts are rarely more than 45 minutes. Classes at the church have no cost and would begin to meet on Thursday evenings in April at 6:00 PM. Call the church office at 847-3335 to register interest.

Sam Green may get to spend the remainder of his recovery time at home in Mt. Juliet effective this Friday, March 19, 2010. One of his primary blood work markers passed its goal this morning and the sores in his throat are improving. Good news.

Patrick Marlowe asked last week that we pray for his family to be able to visit him in Louisiana over the weekend. The federal facility which houses Patrick was nearing shutdown and he felt like he was running out of strength. Patrick’s dad, mom, and son were able to visit during all available visitation blocks. Pray that someone in a position of power might begin to advocate for Patrick.

Two large, significant Sundays are just ahead in the Christian calendar: Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Palm Sunday is the last Sunday in March: March 28, 2010. Easter Sunday is the first Sunday in April: April 4, 2010. Service schedules and locations for each day are the same at HCN. Identically planned services meet at 9:00 and 10:30 AM (notice this is fifteen minutes later for second service), in The Center. I recognize this schedule moves first service people out of their regular worship place (The Sanctuary), and I appreciate the willingness to be inconvenienced so that more people might gather to worship and hear the gospel. Worship on Palm Sunday is an encore presentation of “One Voice,” a drama/musical which focuses on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ as told by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. Herb McMillan, Bryce Fox, Beth Fox, and Laura Hughes return for the primary dramatic roles. Worship on Easter Sunday follows the familiar pattern of first recognizing the darkness of the crucifixion and then celebrating the brilliance of the resurrection. There will be instrumental and vocal music, preaching, and videos. We pray the power and presence of the Holy Spirit will help us to exalt Jesus. For some reason, people who do not regularly attend church are especially open to invitations to attend on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Some of those people work with you, live beside of you, go to school with you, are related to you. With a simple invite from you, some person or family might find a church home because you take the initiative. With a simple invite from you, some person or family might take a new direction in eternity because you take the initiative. I can think of a favorite family of mine who now lives in Arizona who began to attend church at HCN at Easter. They read the invitation on the church marquee. A family from HCN now lives in Des Moines, Iowa, and they visited last weekend. Their teenage sons wanted to come and be in church.

I still remember when their house burned and someone invited them to church. I know it takes a risk to invite someone. All possibilities require risks. Get on schedules now.

I continue to ask that you pray with me regarding the extra $100,000 of giving we need to do over March, April, and May. It is a community thing. Ask God how you might participate and then trust with me.

The first phone call I received this morning told me that someone’s mother had died unexpectedly in the night. I called to find the man headed with his older brother to give the heavy news to their younger brother. I have thought of and prayed for them today. I am fully aware that in the midst of all the schedules and the doing there are fragile events unfolding in our lives. Remember that God is with you. He is our strength in time of trouble. He is our strength in time of joy. Wherever we may be.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

March 8, 2010

Congratulations to Jerrod Russell Waffird and Emily Christian Scholes who were joined in marriage on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at 5:00 PM in the Sanctuary of HCN. The place was packed and beautiful. Chuck Seay, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in Sheffield, Alabama, presided at the ceremony. Jerrod is the son of Rusty and Brenda Waffird and the grandson of Dot Waffird. Flowers from the wedding decorated the communion tables in the Sanctuary and the Center for Sunday morning worship.

Will Miranne competed in a drama competition with his DCA troupe in Lexington, KY, last weekend. The competition included twenty schools, public and private, from ten states. Although DCA did not win the competition, Will was selected as a member of the All-Star Cast. I had the privilege to watch Will in a presentation of “Flowers for Algernon” last Wednesday morning which the team presented for the DCA Student Body. Will was stellar. He has an amazing gift. Watch for an article in The Tennessean featuring DCA Drama.

Congratulations to Dr. Rondy Smith who was appointed the new chair of the Women’s Clergy Council for the Church of the Nazarene for the next four years. Rondy is in Kansas City at the start of this week getting the council organized.

Congratulations to Gary Van Atta, Coach of the Lady Trojan Basketball Team at Trevecca Nazarene University who reached the milestone last week of a 400 victory career in coaching women’s basketball. The Lady Trojans are currently ranked 19^th nationally in the NAIA and await their seeding in the national tournament. Tuesday, March 9, 2010, is Gary’s birthday.

Patrick Marlowe is a member of HCN and a resident of a federal prison in Louisiana.

Patrick is a young adult man, the same age of my son, and a friend of my son. Three to four years ago, Patrick was given a life sentence in a federal courtroom. Since then, his appeal to the Supreme Court was denied and recently an appeal to the same federal court which convicted him was denied. Last week, I sat with Patrick’s dad in a lawyer’s office to hear the next options for appeal. Patrick has personally asked that the church pray for him; for his sanity; for hope to be restored. His dad and mom and son are scheduled to visit him this weekend and the conditions at the prison are nearing shut-down, which would prevent the visit. Patrick asked that we pray that his family is able to visit him. Would you join me in prayer for Patrick?

Worship Pastor Sam Green is in the eleventh day of recovery from the bone marrow transplant he received at Centennial Medical Center. The pastoral staff team visited with Sam before lunch today and we had the privilege to hear the doctor tell Sam that he is doing well and on course for recovery.

Daylight Savings Time begins this Sunday, March 14, 2010, at 2:00 AM. Move your clocks forward one hour before retiring to bed on Saturday evening. Your body will recover in a week and you will recover the hour in the fall.

Valerie Marsh is a professional photographer who makes her living taking family and event pictures. Valerie is also a member of HCN. She and her husband, Ronnie, are members of the MissionAfrica’10 Team. When Valerie finished paying her own way to Africa, she began to find ways to help others go. She has met with the three senior high students who are members of MissionAfrica’10 and offered to help them with fundraising. On Saturday, March 27, 2010, Valerie will take picture packages with a real bunny and children from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Packages start at $25. For an appointment, email Valerie at valeriesphoto@comcast.net or call 553-2403. The three MA’10 teens will assist Valerie all day. All profits go to their mission account.

I ended last week’s letter with a paragraph on needing help to complete financial obligations for mission and ministry over the next three months. HCN needs to increase giving by $100,000 over March, April, and May 2010. I know that sounds like a great deal of money unless you realize how many there are of us to help meet that need. The solution is that we need more people to involve themselves in providing the financial needs of the church. We are not a church of fat cats who bankroll the church while the rest of us stroll. We are a community church who believes in a transformed life in Jesus Christ experienced in a community of believers who love and care for each other, the community, and the world. We believe that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and that he meets the needs of his work through the hands of the people who tend those cattle.

Would you begin to pray about how God would help you to contribute to this need? I acknowledge that some among us are struggling to keep their financial heads above water because they are out of work or live with reduced work hours. I also know those are frequently the people who are finding ways to give. Sometimes it is the most capable among us who have the most trouble giving. Our money is so consumed meeting our own wants and needs that it seems nothing is left over for God. Could I encourage us to consider the year of mercy from last week’s sermon in Luke 13:1-9? Do we need to humble ourselves this year? Do we need to change our giving habits? I continue to process the scripture in my own life. It is changing me. Whatever you are able to do, this is our thing together. I am excited to see how God will meet the need through his people.

I look forward to being with you on Sunday. I get to preach from my favorite parable.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

March 1, 2010

Worship Pastor Sam Green’s bone marrow transplant procedure required thirty minutes of time last Thursday, February 25, 2010, and every indication at this point is that the transplant was a complete success. He is actually receiving suppressants to keep his brother’s stem cells from assuming the control of his body they will eventually possess. Pastoral staff visited with Sam this morning and though his DNA has been swapped out, he remains our Sam. He laughed. He cried. His hair is growing back.

Congratulations to Taylor Haydel, freshman pitcher for the Western Kentucky University baseball team, on his three hitless innings in relief work on Saturday, February 20, 2010, against Kent State. Taylor struck out three and allowed one base runner on a hit batter in three innings of work. He pitched again last weekend in a series versus Texas A&M and Texas State. He pitches this week against Austin Peay.

Associate Pastor Carol Waller led a weekend of spiritual worship for children at the Erin Church of the Nazarene last weekend. Five services were conducted around the theme of belonging to the family of God. Carol was assisted by Beth Fox leading music and Diane Cater adding character sketches. Bryson Fox and Jameson Scappaticci provided instumental accompaniment on several songs in each session. Carol reports that the “kids were engaged and receptive and the people were wonderful.”

Associate Pastor Rondy Smith was the special speaker for the Dallas District Women’s Retreat over the weekend. The retreat was held at the Richardson, Texas, Church of the Nazarene. The target audience was women in their 20’s and 30’s and about half of the 200 women present fit that category. Rondy used an HGTV theme and spoke on “renovating the heart” and “remodeling the soul” with the Father as Architect, Jesus as Builder, the Holy Spirit as Decorator. The services were powerfully blessed.

Associate Pastor Ken Jewett led the Middle School LiveWire Students on retreat to Sevierville, TN, last weekend. Fifty-five students and twelve chaperones filled two large cabins. Chaperones were Alan Elkins, Buddy Mabry, Daniel Smith, Darlene Miranne, Jake Pilarski, Jake Resor, Jillian Forcum, Ken Jewett, Kristi Mabry, Teresa Vines, Tim Garrett, Treila Garrett. Retreaters were Abbie Winfree, Abby Elkins, Andrew Vines, Anna Waller, Annie Cater, Ashley Wallace, Austin Waller, Avie Joyce, Bethany Ruff, Biranna Post, Bryce Poole, Cade Crosslin, William Fleming, Caleb Foster, Cameron Davenport, Chandler Scott, Corey Miranne, Emily Paddon, Gabby Satterlee, Hannah Garrett, Hannah Hayes, Hannah Jackson, Haylee Gold, Isabella Green, Isaac Houser, J.D. Hall, Jacob Paddon, Jared Mannen, Jesse Case, Jessica Perkins, Jessie Joyce, Jonathan Jones, Josh Elkins, Josh Pilarski, Kailey Perkins, Kaina Habibeche, Keely Dozier, Kelli Rose, Kevin Helm, Kristin Paddon, Logan Evans, Luke Steeley, Madison Trotter, Maggie Hollingsworth, Mahaliah Davis, Marileigh Mabry, Morgan Houser, Nathanael Jackson, Olivia Garrett, Rachel Jones, Rachel Thimell, Ryan Mahoney, Shelby Rose, Taylor Shoemake, and Travis Walter. Pastor Ken reported to the staff team this morning about the team of chaperones who made his life easy. He said he normally is thinking through how to get the first meal prepared on arrival at the cabins on Friday evening but on this trip he did not even know what they were eating. Someone else planned it. Someone else prepared it. They arrived at the cabins on Friday evening with brownies on the table and a popcorn machine popping corn and fuming the house. A dad hosed off shoes on the back deck covered in Saturday’s paint ball experience. Dishes were washed before anyone else could volunteer. Chaperones learned how much the students depend on and respect Jake Resor and Daniel Smith, two Trevecca sophomore pastoral ministry students who assist in the age group. They said the most popular words out of the student’s mouths were calling “Jake” and “Daniel.” There were significant spiritual moments but I had rather the students tell you. Ask one of them.

Room-in-the-Inn was hosted by the Cross Trainers and Young Professionals Sunday School Classes on Saturday-Sunday, February 27-28, 2010. Wayne McNeese drove the van which brought ten homeless men from downtown Nashville to our campus for the evening. The men were fed a hot, homemade supper; given a dry, warm, clean bed to sleep in; offered a hot shower with clean towels; allowed to wash and dry their clothes; treated with respect through shared conversation and fellowship; provided a hot break-fast and a sack lunch to take with them for the day. Every kind word and deed was done as if it was done to/for Jesus. Thanks to Wayne McNeese; Paul and Christy Stonecipher; Tom and Beverly Lutz; Angela, Kenzie, and Rebecca Eiseman; April Swoner, Glenda Bolling; Dorinda Biggs; Jonathan Paddon; Matt, Keely, and Maxwell Mullins, Leisha Stride; Kylee Koon; Carrie Lounsbury; Richard and Beth Rouse; Phillip and Natalie Lutz; John and Rachelle Reigard; Ginger Pilarski; Jennifer and Kris Neely; Jeff, Diane, and Josh Cater; Amanda Benson; Joe Walker; Albert Rios; Jea and Jessica Agee.

I want to close this letter by asking for your help. I have thought for weeks about how to approach the subject and for some reason the Holy Spirit has said now. Over the next three months, we need to increase our overall giving by $100,000 and the purpose is to fund mission and ministry. We pay our bills fine. We pay our facilities mortgage fine. We have given no raises to staff for two years and reduced pastoral staff payroll by tens of thousands of dollars over the last two to three years. We meet payroll each week. The place where we come up short is in our obligation to and support of others. We have responsibilities to help support mission work in Nashville and Tennessee and around the world. We have responsibilities to support Trevecca Nazarene University where twelve of our students are currently receiving a quality Christian education. Our ability to retain and continue our current pastoral staff is approved or disapproved based on the accountability of meeting our mission budgets. We have met every mission obligation assigned to our church for the last fifteen years. With the economy in slow recovery, I do not want to wait longer to speak with you. Would you begin to pray and to give so that the need may be met? I will offer some suggestions next week.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard