HCN looks for ways to fellowship and starting back to school seems as good a reason as any. So, we enjoyed a Back-to-School Bash last night in the Center. There were no inflatables because we did not have $1,000 to sponsor them. Our times require we make different decisions. The Cooking Team led by Wayne McNeese and staffed by Kenny McNeese, Ricky McNeese, Ken Koon, Tyler Koon, Tim Garrett, and Trey Miles grilled the hotdogs and hamburgers. The Kitchen Crew washed and stacked the lettuce; sliced the tomatoes and onions; and organized the food on the tables. The crew included Lisa Anderson, Pam McNeese, Dianne McNeese, and Kylee Koon. Parents of children, middle school, and senior high students provided set-up and break-down of tables and chairs. I enjoyed talking to friends in the food line and then sitting with my family, Josh Marlowe, and Trey Miles. Josh began a new year this morning as teacher and coach at a Wilson County Middle School. Thanks to every person who prepared and brought salads and desserts to share. The fact that people lingered long says the time was valued and needed. Thanks to the people with servant hearts and hands who cooked and prepared all the food.
Jill Satterlee planned to lead an Art Camp at HCN last week for elementary age children. She had no way of knowing that she would be in a Wilson County Middle School preparing to teach instead. Instead of canceling, artsy and talented HCN people were recruited and saved the day. Thanks to Ken Jewett, Preston Hunt, Michael Follis, and Jody Scott.
Forty-two Senior High Students and their chaperones invested four days at Fall Creek Falls last week. They hiked. They swam. They ate. They devoted themselves to spiritual formation. Their hearts were bonded to each other in Christ Jesus. These were the participants: Brandon Shepard, Hope Elkins, Brooke Elkins, Hayley Hicks, Justin Angle, Ryan Mahoney, Eric Owens, Josh Elkins, Philip Caulkins, Adrie Brown, Cade Crosslin, Matt Follis, Taylor Haydel, Shane Tarter, Rebecca Sharpe, Traci Haydel, Sandra Hunt, Will Miranne, Taylor Clarke, Toby Haydel, Daniel Jones, Rachel Jones, Jake Cannella, Fredric Walther, Jessica Long, Ben Griffith, Austin Woodfin, Natalie Semro, Presley Stinson, Robert Luther, Thomas Sharpe, Braden Maphet, Isaac Thompson, Taylor Steinmetz, Hunter Steinmetz, Morgan Shafer, Paige Hood, Brian Brinkman, Hayley Fee, Trevor Hunt, Cassie Hunt, and Jonathan Tigabu.
Brady Earnhardt wrote a letter to me and to the congregation from the United States Military Academy at West Point. I will post it under the glassboard in the Center Lobby. He would like a card or letter from you. He misses you. Write:
CC Earnhardt, Brady
1205 Abbey Avenue
USMAPS Box 73
Ft. Monmouth, NJ 07703
I drove to Sheffield, Alabama, to visit with Chuck, Jennifer, and Jack Seay last Thursday. Chuck has pastored First Naz there for the last year. He spent ten years of his life on staff at HCN. Jack rode in my car to lunch and told me I had a monster truck. He also told me he missed me. I think Chuck fed him lines. It has been a long time since I drove through so many small towns with speed zones changing every one-half mile. Some things you do for love. I also got good cornbread for lunch. How does someone so skinny know all the good places to eat?
Two big Sundays are just ahead for us. This Sunday is August 8, 2010, and the last Sunday with a regular schedule for at least four months. Enjoy it. The sacrament of baptism will be celebrated in the Sanctuary at 5:00 PM. If you are a believer and remain unbaptized, you need to add your name to the list of candidates. The Mission Africa’10 Team reports to the congregation in the Center at 6:00 PM. The team has great pictures, videos, and stories to share.
The next Sunday is August 15, 2010, and the first Sunday with a new schedule and a third service.
- First service meets at 9:00 AM in the Sanctuary.
- Second service meets at 10:00 AM in the Center.
- Third service meets at 11:30 AM in the Center.
- Dr. Sam Green leads music in all three services.
- First service music includes the choir, piano, and organ.
- Second service music includes the choir, the band, praise team.
- Third service music includes the band and an expanded praise team.
- First service includes communion every Sunday.
- Second and third service includes communion on the fourth Sunday of the month.
- I will preach in all three services.
- A new adult Sunday School class begins at 10:00 AM to give more opportunity to people who would like to attend first worship or third worship.
- All of the changes are an experiment approved by the church board through the month of December 2010.
If you currently attend first service, the schedule remains the same for you. If you currently attend second service, the schedule begins at 10:00 AM instead of 10:15 AM.
Sunday School Classes which currently say they begin at 9:00 AM will actually begin at 9:00 AM and conclude by 9:50 AM.
God constantly calls his people to courage and risk so that he might reveal his power and love to the nations. We humbly attempt these changes believing they provide opportunities for more people to know the Lord and to serve him.
I love you and I am grateful that I have the privilege to serve as pastor at HCN.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
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