January 17, 2011

I visited with Sam Green this morning at Centennial Medical Center. Nurses were hanging some platelets to keep his blood work strong. He is coming off of steroids and moving up the food chain diet. Sam has taken on pieces of his music/worship role at HCN, doing things he has not done since last September. He has selected and ordered the Palm Sunday music for the choir and sending missives as we speak. The Green family hopes this is week Sam gets to go home. One of Sam’s nurses visited second service yesterday.

Third service started again yesterday but in a new location. The Sanctuary was a perfect fit. I cannot commend the musical team enough for their preparation and delivery.

Donny Jackson led congregational singing with Paul Vann and Beth Fox as praise team vocalists. Donny also played the guitar which is confessed is his instrument of choice. Paul Bolling played all of my favorite percussion pieces which I think Paul masters. Michael Waller played the baby grand and David Flint played acoustic guitar. Michael and David are the quiet, behind the scenes coordinators who make things flawless.

Ken Jewett started recruiting a music team for LiveWire worship when he realized Jeremy Michael would not be available last Sunday. He called Beth Fox who pulled in Bryson Fox, Jameson Scappaticci, and Nathanael Jackson to accompany her. Ken had nothing but praise for the goods delivered.

One more thing about music assistance: at the close of second service on Sunday, I needed someone to help us with music. I called for someone in the band (Michael, Donny, and Dave were setting up in the sanctuary for third service). Randy Layne was the person who came to help and played a wonderfully soulful song on his bass guitar. What a gift. As I walked off the stage in the center, Carrie Lounsbury met me and asked if I needed help on the keyboards at the close of services. I told her I did and she said she would be there next Sunday. I think some glory rose up to heaven right then.

Margaret Mathias was one of the eighteen people from HCN who traveled to Kenya last June. Rob asked early on if it would be okay for his mom to go and we agreed. Margaret was a devout Christian, an experienced nurse, a pray-er. She was kind and wonderful. When the girls at the orphanage were treated to cleanse their faces, their hair, their legs, Margaret was one of three people who did all of the work. What few people on the trip knew was that Margaret was in remission for cancer. Last Thursday, January 13, 2011, Margaret died. The memorial service is today (Monday). It is hard to believe that a person as vibrant as Margaret could be gone within seven months. We rejoice that she was a part of our Mission Africa ’10 Team and that we were a part of each other. Margaret was sixty years old.

Youth Villages visits HCN this Thursday, January 20, 2011, at 7:00 PM in the Parlor of the Center. This is a second opportunity for people in our church to listen to opportunities for foster care and adoption. If your heart is pulled in this direction, please attend. Each speaks to our proactive support for the sacredness of life.

Senior High Pastor Shane Tarter led sixty-one students and eight chaperones on their winter retreat to Gatlinburg last weekend (January 14-17, 2011). Students included Ryan Mahoney, Matt Lucas, Evan McDaniel, Colby Earles, Andrew Vines, Ben Mabry, Hunter Steinmetz, Isaac Thompson, Braden Maphet, Hannah Garrett, Jessica Joyce, Sophie Zander, Jessica Perkins, Josh Cater, Stephanie Owens, Eric Owens, Cassie Hunt, Trevor Hunt, Sarah Griffith, Bret Washing, Christi Fite, Anna Laura Green, Sophie Green, Dalton Winfrey, Abby Winfrey, Page Abernathy, Morgan Harold, Callie Crosslin, Cameron Woodfin, Austin Woodfin, Chase Busherfield, Alex Houser, Paul Polland, Miranda Buyna, Lucas Houge, Katelyn Houge, Kevin Helm, Jonathan Tigabu, Jessica Long, Matt Bastin, Taylor Clark, Daniel Jones, Hayley Fee, Robby Amity, Ryan Amity, Timmy Porter, Phillip Caulkins, Sarah Matthews, Allison Huffman, Ben Griffith, Toby Haydel, Jonathan Mowry, Corey Miranne, Grant McCoy, Reed McCoy, Johnny Lee, Felix Menke, Justin Angle, Robert Luther. Chaperones included Gina Winfree, Sandra Hunt, Alan Elkins, Tanya Bastin, Esther Owens, Teresa Vines, Holly Steinmetz. Shane sat in my office this afternoon and told me he thought it was the most spiritual retreat he has experienced with the kids. There were only two trips to the ER.

Reminder for the Men’s Breakfast at Mt. Juliet Cracker Barrel on Fridays at 6:30 AM with Dennis Scholl and Doug Gold. All men are welcome.

Reminder for those who want to pray for Matthew Bateman, nephew to Tony Dozier, who is being deployed to Afghanistan for a fifth tour of duty. When Delores Thompson wrote me to join the prayer team for Matthew, she asked I could remember her nephew, Michael Pickartz, who is being deployed to Afghanistan for his fourth tour of duty. Could I ask that those who have written me about Matthew would include Michael in your daily, weekly prayers?

I am thankful for you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

January 11, 2011

Snow has come again to Middle Tennessee. I am thankful first of all that it did not come on Sunday. I am thankful secondly that east Davidson County, west Wilson County were not forgotten. I am amazed that the trash collection truck and the postal service jeep were able to navigate to my cul-de-sac. The Tennessean paper car made it this morning (Tuesday). The paper said to go to the internet to find out who won the Auburn-Oregon Championship Game. Congratulations to Auburn fans.

The Life Connections Sunday School Class hosted ten homeless men through Room-in-the-Inn on Saturday-Sunday, January 8-9, 2011, on the HCN campus. The group provided Saturday supper, Sunday breakfast, and a sack lunch to carry away. They chaperoned the dry and warm evening rest; opened the facilities for washing clothes; made the showers and lockers available for getting clean. The men are always transported by our van to and from downtown Nashville and treated with kindness and respect. HCN hosts included Pam and Paul Stonecipher, Wayne McNeese, Tim and Treila Garrett, Ronnie and Pam Crues, Jerry and Lori Wallace, Tom and Shannon Stephens, Buddy and Kristi Mabry, Gary and Christine Helm, Stephan and Susan Scappaticci, Traci Hollandsworth, Jonna Taylor, Hannah Dubin, Dean Beach, and Beth Rice. The words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 25:40 say that whatever you did for one of these brothers, you did for him. Thanks.

A Zone Quiz Meet for Children was held at Trevecca on Saturday, December 8, 2011. Briley Ruff represented HCN and had a perfect quiz; received a gold all star and memory verse ribbon; received two perfect round ribbons. It was his best quiz yet.

Congratulations to Kylee Koon who has completed course work for her master’s degree in education at Trevecca Nazarene University with a 4.0 GPA. She graduates in the commencement in May.

After three weeks of hospitalization, Sam Green is physically improving daily. His body is retaining nutrients from the food he is consuming which was not true for the first two weeks. The numbers in his blood work are superior. His doctors are very pleased. Sam is ready to be home with his baby girls and they are ready to have their daddy home. We give thanks for the intercession healing for Sam.

The Church Board met on Sunday, January 9, 2011, at 4:00 PM for the regular monthly meeting. The proposed budget prepared by the appointed task force (Phil Jordan, Scott Steinmetz, John Mannen, Jerry Keener, Howard Plummer), was presented by Phil as the chair of the Finance Council. The budget was unanimously approved following lots of questions and discussion. There was a strong sentiment expressed from board members that we begin to include the weekly need in the weekly tip sheet and Sunday bulletin. So, you will find that number at the bottom of the numerical information this week. Also, permission to continue the third service through the next board meeting was sought and approved. The third service begins again this Sunday, January 16, 2011, in the Sanctuary (note change of location). There are other pieces being processed for this service.

The Discovery Sunday School Class beings a 14 week study on Sunday, January 30, 2011, of Christ’s life and ministry based on The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey. The series employs video clips of various film portrayals of Jesus as a basis of discussion. If you attend first or third worship and would like to try a Sunday School Class, please join this group. For more information, speak to Jonathan or Sarah Paddon or email at jwpaddon@tds.net.

Dennis Scholl and Doug Gold are starting a weekly men’s prayer breakfast on Fridays at 6:30 AM at the Mt. Juliet Cracker Barrel. The meeting will include a short devotion, prayer, and fellowship. Men, this is your invitation.

Tony Dozier sent me an email on Monday asking me to return his nephew, Matthew Bateman, to our prayer list of soldiers. Matthew is headed to Afghanistan. It is his fifth tour of duty in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Matthew’s mother is Tony’s sister, Carolyn, who lives in California. When Carolyn visits us, she attends each morning worship service so that she can hear her son’s name called in prayer. I feel strongly that a small group of people need to pray for Matthew’s safety daily. If you would be one of those people, write me a note and drop it in the offering plate or email me at hlplummer@aol.com.

The words from Sunday’s message are “consistent and conscious submission.” Jesus is our model.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

January 3, 2011

Congratulations to Brian and Dorinda Biggs on the birth of their daughter, Atalaya Marie Biggs, on Tuesday, December 28, 2010, at 6:29 PM in Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Atalaya weighed 8 lbs 3 ozs and measured 19 inches in length. She is the sister of Dakota and Emberlynn. We bless the Lord who has blessed Brian and Dorinda by entrusting this child to their care and nurture. We thank him for safe delivery.

Congratulations to Kyle Smith on his performance in the 5^th Annual Power Showcase on Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 28-30, 2010. Kyle hit the longest homerun with a wood bat (429 feet); placed 2^nd in the 1^st round with six homeruns; tied for 4^th in the championship round. The Showcase is by invitation only for high school students. See Kyle’s picture at www.power-showcase.com.

Carol Waller, Shane Tarter, and I visited with Sam Green at Centennial Medical Center after staff meeting this morning (Monday). Sam’s primary doctor had just visited and told Sam that after twelve days in the hospital, his gastro system should have shown more improvement as it copes with graft versus host disease. In two to three days, if there are no changes, the doctor will begin new meds and new treatment with more challenging results. We pulled up chairs, gave Sam a pep talk, and then had a prayer meeting. Would you pray with us that God will intervene for Sam? He needs to be able to eat and to keep the nutrients in his body longer.

The Wesleyan Covenant Service gave form to worship at HCN on Sunday, January 2, 2011. John Wesley’s inspiring challenge to renew our covenant with God included music, prayer, scripture, communion, and major responsive readings. Thanks to vocalists Paul Vann, Keli Green, Beth Fox, Emily Sullivan, and HCN Worship Choir members. Thanks to musicians Willard Brinkman, Michael Waller, Andy McCormick, Dave Flint, Randy Layne, Graham Scott, Paul Bolling. Thanks to Billie Ragland and Shirley Maschinski for preparing communion trays for 600+ people. Thanks to Rondy Smith for assisting with the reading of liturgy. Thanks to Tammy Tarter for directing the choir and leading congregational singing.

We speak often of the musically talented people who worship at HCN. At Christmas, some of the people who regularly share their talents were away visiting or on vacation and needs existed for others to step up and in. And they did. One of the people who best illustrates that practice was Rich Herring. Rich came early to worship to practice the offertory song his wife, Suzanne, was singing. By profession, Rich plays the guitar. When someone in the band asked if there was anyone who played the drums, Rich said he had a set when he was child. He then sat down at the drums and played wonderfully for the whole morning of music. I saw Rich playing and assumed it was a regular piece of his arsenal; until someone in the band told me this story.

When I attempted to list the names of those who hosted Room-in-the-Inn at HCN on Christmas night, I failed to list Kelly Ann West. Kelly Ann is a friend of Beth Rouse who made 4 homemade pumpkin pies from fresh pumpkins for the men. She actually made multiple pies for local ministries. Thanks.

Teams are getting slack for setting up the chairs in The Center on Saturday. It does not make for good attitudes when you come to serve and there are only three people to accomplish the very large task. Set up begins weekly at 4:00 PM. Adult Sunday School Classes are assigned weeks on a rotating basis. If you do not attend a class but would be willing to help on any Saturday, you would be greatly welcomed and appreciated. If you are not a part of a class but would be willing to be assigned a Saturday, call Rondy Smith at 847-3335 to volunteer.

For fifteen years, Anna and I have lived in a house on Raccoon Trail that is just off of Old Lebanon Dirt Road. It’s called the country. The main thoroughfare that connects us with the church is Tulip Grove Road. Tulip Grove is a twisting, winding, up and down, two lane road that has more than once been under water after heavy rains. It is a take your life in your own hands road. You know when a rookie is driving it. Up until three to four months ago, it had more potholes than any road on which I travel. One morning on the way to work, I noticed that someone had started to patch the worst stretches of Tulip Grove. I felt encouraged. However, there was one particular long hole that got missed and I just could not believe that someone would patch every other hole and miss that one. I muttered and complained to myself going and coming. Then, to my amaze-ment, the paving machine came and repaved every inch of Tulip Grove Road with thick, heavy paving material. The patching was only a precursor. I was thankful. I felt joy. I also remembered how I had doubted the good common sense of the people paving the road. I want to do better. I need to believe that I am not the only person in the world who knows that there are holes in the road. It is a good resolution for 2011. I hope you have some with as much substance.

Schedules are back to normal this Sunday with the exception of third service. See you in Sunday School.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard