Welcome to the newest members of Hermitage Church of the Nazarene: Matthew Bastin, Jessica Long, Toby Haydel, Esther Owens, Matthew Owens, Stephanie Owens, Ed Joyce, Stacey Joyce, Jessie Joyce, Avie Joyce, Teddy Joyce, John Nelson, Cassidy Nelson, Jared Bouton, Sarah Jo Bouton, Hannah Garrett, and Olivia Garrett. The total of seventeen were received through-out the morning at the close of three services. They are natives of California, Florida, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Tennessee. Their ecclesial backgrounds are Lutheran, Baptist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Dutch Reformed, Non-denominational, and Nazarene. Ten of the seventeen join by profession of faith. Four of the new members profess a call to ministry. Each member brings the gifts and graces of their spiritual life to the body of Christ at HCN. We celebrate our union.
Madi McNeese participated in a Dance Competition last weekend in Memphis and won first place in two events in the Petite Division. Congratulations, Madi.
Sam Green attended second service on Sunday, February 6, 2011. That is two Sundays in a row the boy was strong enough not only to be present but to smile and to participate. I am having conversations with Sam about when he might sing the song he prepared for the Fall Concert. It remains his to testify.
Some months ago, several men who are relatively new to the church told me how glad they are that HCN has groups for men. Men’s Fraternity is one of the groups, meeting on Sundays at 5:30 PM in Room 225. This week, on February 13, 2011, the group begins nine sessions focusing on Your Unique Design. The program identifies natural strengths and types of environments in which a man thrives. There is a $35 online inventory that will require two hours of time. The men who have already taken the inventory report that it was worth the effort even before processing the nine weeks of class.
When the Mission Africa Team traveled to Kenya in June of last year, we met twenty-six orphan girls who occupied the Suvia Children’s Home. One of the girls was Wanza Mutheu. Wanza confessed that she wanted to become a nurse and so my wife, Anna, took her under her wing and taught her how to dress sores and rashes on the other orphans. She was a pro. When we were asked to sponsor a particular girl, our decision was easy. We chose Wanza. There are multiple photos of and letters from Wanza on our refrigerator. Anna intended for her to come and visit in our home when she was old enough. Last Tuesday, February 1, 2011, I received an email from Ben Kikuvi, a beloved member of the World Servants Team in Kenya informing us of Wanza’s untimely death. Today, a phone call came from Rhoda Kisua, wife of Pastor Nicholas Kisua, telling us that Wanza died from a virus that had traveled to her brain. It is hard to comprehend how a bright, healthy young adolescent woman can slip so quickly from the earth to heaven. Her funeral is tomorrow (February 8). Twenty-five orphan girls will attend. I can see them and hear them. I bet they are singing.
Gail Foster asked me on Sunday to give more details about the six pieces of clothes challenge for Lent. I want to remind you that this is only one option to consider. It is one idea. I understand that not everyone finds this challenging or possible. My wife is one, however, I find it interesting that she is trying to tell me what colors to choose for my six pieces.
Six Items or Less…this is a challenge to select six pieces of outer clothing to wear over a specific period of time to teach principles of simplicity, a life with less.
The time frame begins on Ash Wednesday, March 9, 2011, and concludes on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011.
The rules are to select six pieces of top clothing (pants, shirts, etc.), and only six pieces which you will wear during this time frame. The exceptions to the six pieces are undergarments, shoes, socks, accessories, workout clothes, pajamas, outerwear, and work uniforms.
The idea is not original. It was tried first last year in an international experiment. People assumed that everyone would notice, and they didn’t. Not people at work, not even family members who did the laundry. We may think our clothes define us, but there really is so much more to who we are. College students in our congregation have attempted some variation of the experiment since October and they are trying it for one year.
It only has spiritual value if you want it to have spiritual value. It has the potential to be a rules game or to give you something to be falsely humble about; however, it also has the potential to break into habits of excess. One of the pieces of following Jesus is to “deny yourself.” This experiment could be a foot in the door.
It is snowing again.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
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