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
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