Monday, March 28, 2011

March 28, 2011

Dr. William Greathouse died on Thursday, March 24, 2011, at 9:30 PM at his home with his family. Dr. Greathouse is survived by his wife, Judy; his children Becky and Ted Martin, Mark and Jan Greathouse, Beth and Mike Sykes. Two of his grandchildren and their families attend HCN: Emily and Robert Sullivan, Wes and Angel Greathouse. It is appropriate that “great” is a part of Dr. Greathouse’s name because he represented the superlative characteristics of a “great” man. Our love and prayers are extended to the Greathouse family in this passing. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, March 30, 2011, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 5:00 to 8:00 PM and for Thursday, March 31, 2011, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. The funeral service is scheduled for 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 31, 2011. Both visitation and services are planned for First Church of the Nazarene, 510 Woodland Street, Nashville, Tennessee.

HCN hosted ten homeless men from Room-in-the-Inn twice in the month of March. On March 12, 2011, the Early Christian Sunday School Class hosted the men guided by the leader-ship of Ron Thompson. On March 26, 2011, the New Horizons Class joined with the College/University Class to host the men. Members of this group included Beverly Mitchell, Rick Person, Barbara Douthit, Diane Brimm, Jane Gardner, Marsha Shultz, Susan Pilgreen, JoAnn Taylor, Donna Shankle, Justin Smith, Tara Streiff, Dawn Carter, Josh Drawhorn, Jake Scott, Ken Jewett, Wayne McNeese, Paul Stonecipher, Pam Stonecipher. These men are provided a hot evening meal and breakfast in the morning. They are given a take-away lunch. They are provided a warm, dry, safe place to sleep. Private space to shower and to wash their clothes are made available. Each person is treated with respect and kindness. Jesus said “I was a stranger and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35). Thanks to every person who invited in the strangers in March.
Congratulations to Lauren Lavery on her graduation from Basic Training in the Air National Guard at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, on March 11, 2011. She is currently stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, in training for personnel school. A great picture is available of Lauren saluting her mother immediately following graduation.

Thanks to Jim Knott, Jared Austin, Amy Brown, Amy and Bethany Ruff for assisting Maria Pardue in moving over the weekend. Maria is a single mom.

Albert and Christian Rios competed in the SE AAU Taekwondo District Tournament on Saturday, March 26, 2011. Albert took 1st in forms and 2nd in sparring. Christian took 1st in forms and sparring in his group. The Rios are father and son.

Thanks to the teams of people who read the John 4 scripture in the Reader’s Theatre on Sunday. Dr. Mike Jackson organized the script from the scripture. Mike, Christy Barfield, and Josh Cater read in first service. Christy, Josh, and Brian Brinkman read in second service. Christy, Diane Cater, and Shane Tarter read in third service. Diane coordinated the teams.

New banners hang in The Center thanks to the inspiration and talents of Betty Willis. Betty has remarkable creative skills that combine aesthetic tastes and sewing. I am glad for the installation of the banners during Lent.

Mike Miranne and Scott Perkins are members of the Church Board Finance Council. Mike and Scott were recently assigned with the responsibility of researching best options for the refinance of the church’s mortgage. They have convened several gatherings of people in the church who serve in lending institutions and sought the best counsel of people familiar with HCN banking. Mike and Scott reported to the Church Board on Sunday afternoon, March 27, 2011, that several opportunities may come to the church to reduce our interest rate and to greatly reduce our indebtedness over the next seven years. One option increases our current monthly payment by $850 per month but reduces our debt by over $500,000 in seven years. We make application this week as directed by the board. Pray that God will guide us and others as we seek the best options for the church.

I am grateful to serve as the pastor of this church.

In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard

Monday, March 21, 2011

March 21, 2011

Today is the first day of Spring. Spring is a piece of the wonder of how God makes the earth work. It is green and wet. It means the lawn mower comes out of hibernation. It means I am already behind my neighbors who took three days off last week to work in their yard. How is that fair? I have already given up on yard of the month. I hope you saw the big moon on Saturday night.

Congratulations to Lindsay Washing and Alex Forehand who became engaged to be married on Saturday, March 19, 2011. They are planning a Spring 2012 wedding. Alex is currently in the Air Force ROTC and was awarded a pilot position with the Air Force when he graduates from college in May 2012.

Congratulations to the DCA Legacy Show Choir for placing first in their division and one of six finalists with other divisions in competition last weekend in Lebanon, Ohio. Out of fifteen groups in all divisions, DCA placed fifth runner up. Will Miranne is a member of the show choir and Brian Brinkman is a member of the set crew.

Brian Brinkman travels to Honduras from March 30 to April 6, 2011, on mission with DCA. The group will work in impoverished areas, going into schools, leading VBS during the day and services at night. Lots of supplies are needed.

Jake Resor and Graham Scott spend twelve weeks in Bulgaria this summer. Michael Follis spends the same twelve in Romania. They are members of Immerse teams from Trevecca Nazarene University changing their world in the name of Christ. If you want to read more about what they are up to, follow their blog at http://thisiswhatitslike.blogspot.com.

You will find a new paragraph in the newsletter tip sheet and the Sunday bulletin each week. It will list various projects which need volunteer leadership both inside facilities and outside on the grounds. This week’s needs include painting, sanding, shoveling, and repairing. If you have expertise in any of the areas and would like to help, call the church office at 847-3335 and let us connect you with Jerry Keener or Traci Haydel. Jerry serves as chair of the Buildings, Grounds, and Equipment Council on the Church Board. Traci serves as head of housekeeping for church facilities.

The local school systems are taking their spring breaks and lots of people have fled town. I say fled as the posts on facebook actually count down hours until they leave. I am sincerely glad when you are able to take a break. I pray you are safe in travel and that the presence of the Lord is with you. Come back whole and refreshed.

The Church Board Meeting that was delayed from the second Sunday of the month due to the school breaks will be convened this Sunday, March 27, 2011, at 4:00 PM in the room beside the sanctuary. Note the time is early because there are important issues to be discussed.

I look forward to community worship on Sunday. We are traveling to Jerusalem with Jesus.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

Monday, March 14, 2011

March 14, 2011

After I told everyone else how to spring their clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time last
Saturday night, I failed to set my own personal alarm clock forward. I got up at 5:00 AM like I
usually do; only it was really 6:00 AM. When Anna started to run bath water upstairs at 6:35
AM, I ran up to ask her why she was up so early. She broke the news to me. It was 7:35 AM
and I was supposed to be at church teaching Sunday School in 25 minutes. I had not shaved.
I had not showered. I was in trouble. Somehow, I drove onto the grass on the west lawn of the
church at 7:57 AM. It was a good week to already know what I was going to wear.

If you are doing the Six Items or Less for Lent and feel comfortable telling someone, let me
know. My email address is hlplummer@aol.com. I would also like to know anything about the
experience that you care to share. There are two things I would tell so far: 1) it is far harder
than I thought; 2) I have not yet picked the sixth item.

Matthew Helm just completed his first year of wrestling at Mt. Juliet Middle School as a
student in the sixth grade. He was undefeated all season. So, he competed in AAU Wrestling
and placed second and third in two different tournaments. Last weekend, he competed
in the regional tournament and placed fourth earning him a slot in the state tournament.
Congratulations to Matthew on a great first year in wrestling.

The Tennessee District Extravaganza took place in Clarksville last Friday night and Saturday.
HCN participants included Toby Haydel, Ben Mabry, Jonathan Mowrey, Matt Bastin, Ross
Drummond, Kevin Helm, Reed McCoy, Brandon Shepard, Brian Brinkman, and Taylor White.
Congratulations, men. These were the results:
• Toby, Ben, Jonathan, Matt, and Ross presented in the worship band category
• Ben placed 3rd in senior high men’s vocal solo
• Toby was selected to district team in ultimate Frisbee and beach volleyball
• Jonathan was selected to district team in ultimate Frisbee; participated in table tennis
• Kevin exhibited in pencil, mixed media, pastels; placed 1st in pencil
• Reed participated in photography, ultimate Frisbee
• Brandon participated in beach volleyball; placed 2nd in men’s swimming; placed 1st in
impromptu speaking
• Brian was selected to district team in ultimate Frisbee and beach volleyball; placed 1st in
senior high men’s tennis and senior high men’s table tennis
• Taylor participated in senior high men’s table tennis and beach volleyball; was selected
to the senior high men’s district basketball team
• Brandon, Brian, and Taylor placed 1st in 3 on 3 basketball
Congratulations to Kyle Russell on the completion of basic training in the US Air Force in San

Antonio, Texas. David and Shelli attended ceremonies there for five days and report a greatly
matured young man. Kyle is now enrolled in a fourteen week training camp to qualify for para-
rescue jumpers.

It was great to see Brady Earnhardt on Sunday. He is home for a break in his first year at the
US Military Academy in West Point, NY, where he is a member of the football team. Although
his head is shaved, I still see red hair.

Pastor Ronnie Thompson completed a pastoral assignment in Mountain Home, Arkansas,
last week and he, Jennifer, Ben, and Shelby have moved back to Tennessee. We welcome them
with glad and open arms at HCN. Embrace them. Tell them how glad you are to see them.
They will be working and serving in the area until their next call.

Congratulations to Dr. Geneva Silvernail, who will be installed as Vice President for the
Florida Dunnam Campus of Asbury Theological Seminary on Tuesday, March 15, 2011. Geneva
is a career missionary in the Church of the Nazarene and the mother of our David Silvernail.

Patrick Marlowe was moved to a Special Housing Unit at the Federal Penitentiary in Pollock,
Louisiana, last week. The move was for his own safety due to threats on his life. The move has
severely restricted access Patrick has to books, physical training facilities, food and drink, and
contact visitation. It would be a good time to send a card or short letter to let him know you
are thinking about him and praying for him. His address is:
Patrick Corey Marlowe
#16762-075
USP Pollock
PO Box 2099
Pollock, LA 71467

You are a great people and I am grateful to serve as your pastor.

In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard