July 18, 2011

Congratulations to Lauren Shepard on qualifying for the Spring 2011 Dean’s List at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Lauren is a double major in English and Women’s Studies.

Mike Miranne’s finish at the Boston Marathon on April 8, 2011, is recorded in the Summer 2011 Treveccan. Mike wore a Trevecca Cross Country shirt and made it into the Where in the World Section.

Matthew Helm competed with the Donelson Blue Devils in the 12U Cal Ripkin State Tournament. The team went undefeated and Matthew batted .571 with a .714 on base percentage. They represent Tennessee in regionals in South Carolina at the end of the month.

Pastor Ken Jewett led the College Class last Wednesday, July 13, 2011, in service at Catholic Charities Refuge Warehouse. They sorted contributions for refugees who are new to Nashville and setting up housekeeping. Servants were Rebecca Sharpe, Katie Scott, Katelyn Houge, Cassie Hunt, Timmy Porter, Eric Owens, Jonathan Tigabu, and Will Miranne.

Missionaries Jay and Teanna Sundberg visited HCN on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, speaking in a combined service of adults, Senior High and Middle School Students in The Center. The Sundbergs were the host missionaries for our TNU students in Bulgaria and Romania this summer. Home on furlough, when they return to Europe, they will serve in Hungary. The offering received for them at the close of service totaled $551.55. Thanks for giving.

Early Christians prepared the beans, potatoes, and cornbread that fed the Poverty Dinner diners. I asked for volunteers last week and they signed up on Sunday morning. Barbara Parrish reminded me that I needed people to help set up and serve and clean up and so class members came early and stayed late to do that. Arch Dobson called from vacation last week to say that he would be out of town on Sunday and he needed me to put in $20 for him. I did. The giving reports this week read that $160 was given for the Poverty Dinner, but that is only money that came through the offering plates in services. Add $1,673 which was given at the head of the serving lines. So far, the total is $1,833. All of those monies will go through World Servants to buy grain, rice, and beans for people in Kali Market, Kenya.

I told you several weeks ago when my watch stopped that I realized people no longer wore watches. They tell time by their cell phones. Well, my cell phone stopped so I bought another watch. Actually, I bought two Timex watches, one with a black band and one with a brown band. Then, I bought another cell phone. My new three month Timex black band watch has already stopped. So, I have bought a $12.99 black band watch from Target. I do not know the brand nor do I care. I am over status symbols.

Words to remember from Sunday: incomparable, merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love, faithful, resilient, reliable. I hope you are remembering to ask God the question: Who is like you?

I look forward to the return of school and the return of some regularity in worship. I miss you when you’re gone.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

July 11, 2011

Twenty-six primary students (grades 1-2), leave this morning from the HCN parking lot to attend a week of camp at Garner Creek. Pastor Carol Waller directs the camp. Campers include Erica Render, Annalee Poole, Abigail Reigard, Elizabeth Sweeten, Regan Perkins, Bethany Thimell, Maidson Slocum, Rebecca Eiseman, Elizabeth Stinson, Isabella Stinson, Alexi Baltz, Morgan Evans, Ashlynn Lounsbury, Lauren Hanks, Kaitlin Minter, Cheyenne Houchin, Brooke Bradley, Jackson Barfield, Stephen Swoner, Ian Rouse, Christian Rios, Gant Brasfield, Patrick Holderby, Daniel Webb, Jordan Marlowe, Jacob Hale. This is the last summer camp of the 2011 season. A total of 176 young people attended camp from HCN this year. I believe Dr. Harvey Hendershot would be pleased and honored. Dr. Hendershot led the Tennessee District when Garner Creek was purchased and upon his retirement, pastored HCN for three years. He was a member of HCN from 1977 until his death.

I mentioned that Middle School Students traveled to Cullman, Alabama, last week to assist in cleaning up the remnants of the spring tornadoes. Workers included Ashley Wallace, Keely Dozier, Shelby Jackson, Mikayla Wurth, Julia Mowry, Grant Reigard, Ashlee Harrison, Marileigh Mabry, Emily Flint, Evan Flint, TJ Hysell, Chandler Scott, Cameron Davenport, Sara Waller, Anna Waller, Isaac Houser, Morgan Houser, Marley Gibson, Nick Groover, Evan Gibson, Annie Cater, Josh Pilarski, Haylee Gold, Lydia Foster, Caleb Foster, Lacey Remmert, Madeleine Rouse, Joel Jones, Kailey Perkins, Bethany Ruff. Chaperones included Katelyn Houge, Katie Scott, Eddie and Yana Witkowski, Carol Waller, Jeff Cater, Marla Houser, Buddy and Kristi Mabry, Shelley Flint, Heather Michael, Ginger Pilarski, Aaron Foster, Tammy Jones.

The new address for Patrick Marlowe is posted below. Patrick is 34 years old and serving a life sentence in a federal facility. A card, a note, a letter could really lift his spirit. He is the son of Wendell and Sheila Marlowe and a member of HCN.

Patrick Corey Marlowe #16762075

USP Terre Haute

P.O. Box 33

Terre Haute, IN 47808

The 100^th Anniversary of the Tennessee District Assembly was held last week at Nashville First Church of the Nazarene. Dr. Larry Leonard was elected to a four year term of service as superintendent. Sixteen men and women were ordained to ministry. Delegates from HCN included Linda Parkhurst, Alene Gill, Joy Bradley, Dot Waffird, Anna Plummer, Wendell Poole, Mark Greathouse, Rondy Smith, Ken Jewett. We all invested lots of sitting and listening time. Dr. Jesse Middendorf presided at the sessions.

I mentioned last week that Missionaries Jay and Teanna Sundberg, Field Directors for the Southeastern European Field of the Church of the Nazarene, will speak in an open forum in The Center this Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at 6:30 PM. We will set up tables with chairs for comfort and ask that you join us. The Sundbergs hosted our five young missionary men (Michael Follis, Preston Hunt, Graham Scott, Jake Resor, Daniel Smith), this summer in Bulgaria and Romania and are close friends of Jon and Kathy Mowry. The Sundbergs and Mowrys served together in Russia. Please plan to attend this event.

I know it is hard to imagine that there are people in the world who live close to starvation but all of those who have traveled to Kali Market, Kenya, know those who do. Everything depends on whether rain comes to water gardens. There are no rivers, lakes, downpours to nourish the land. There are tanks to catch the water that runs off the roofs when rain infrequently comes. Rain has not come in 2011. Pastor Nicholas Kisua called me last week to greet our church and to tell me food is scarce. What food is available costs more than last year.

The Church Board has approved a Poverty Dinner for this Sunday, July 17, 2011, at 5:00 PM in The Center. The Early Christian Sunday School Class will provide beans, potatoes, cornbread, and water. You are invited to come and eat and make a donation to the church for food to be distributed in Kenya. All other meetings will take place as normal at 6:00 PM.

I just got off the phone with Sam Green, Pastor of Worship at HCN. Sam will be discharged from Centennial Medical Center tomorrow or Wednesday (July 12-13, 2011). His pulmonary system is greatly improved and responding to the steroid treatments for the graft versus host disease. He is off oxygen support. His coughing is almost gone. His color is improving. He plans to be leading worship this Sunday. We give thanks to the Lord. Thanks to Tammy Tarter, Ken Stegall, Donny Jackson for leading in worship on Sundays in Sam’s absence.

Dr. Jesse Middendorf preached in the recent District Assembly and as a person in authority would often address churches in conflict. He challenged people to love each other and to cease arguing and complaining. I sat in each service and thought about how unlike Hermitage Church were his descriptions. I have pastored several churches like that. I recognized his words. I am grateful that they did not describe us. I do not take our church for granted. I received a long email from a young husband and father last night. He came to church on Sunday with a heavy heart. He was headed to Sunday School and then to worship but people kept “interjecting themselves into my path. I heard none of your sermon this morning but from the quotes my friends mentioned about recognizing areas to serve and getting in action to help, made it one of the most powerful sermons I never heard. I love you in ways that I can’t express but wanted you to know.” I walked through The Center on the way to first service on Sunday and two men were already at the altars praying and crying. I walked by them and touched them to let them know I was aware and praying with them. This is the church I belong to. It is not always perfect. We do not always get it. But most of the time, there is a whole lot of kindness and compassion and praying and caring going on. It beats arguing and complaining all to pieces. I sure do love you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

July 5, 2011

Congratulations to Eric and April Branscum on the birth of their daughter, Gemma Louise, and two sons, Hunter Harrison and Christian Nash on Friday, July 1, 2011, at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Gemma was born at 10:56 AM; weighed 5 lbs 10 ¾ ozs; and measured 17 inches in length. Hunter was born at 10:57 AM; weighed 5 lbs 2 ¾ ozs; and measured 17 inches in length. Christian was born at 10:58 AM; weighed 5 lbs 11 ¾ ozs; and measured 17 inches in length. April invested the last two weeks in bed in the hospital to get the babies to 35 weeks gestation with strong lungs. Anna and I visited the family on Saturday. Anna held Gemma and I held Hunter. Christian was getting his bath in the nursery. Gemma, Christian, and Hunter share a brother, Erickson, and grandparents, Jeff and Sally Ebel. We give thanks to the Lord for healthy babies and a safe delivery for April.

Congratulations to Dr. Kevin Ulmet, current pastor at Chicago First Church of the Nazarene, who was elected to serve as the new pastor of Nashville First Church of the Nazarene upon the retirement of Dr. Gary Henecke at District Assembly this week. Kevin is the father/father-in-law of our Carrie and Ben Wagner. His first Sunday arrives the end of August.

The July 3, 2011, Cook-out at HCN met indoors in air conditioning and I was glad. Cooks came early and sweated the grills. They included Wayne McNeese, Paul Stonecipher, Ken Koon, and Tyler Koon. The kitchen crew included Lisa Anderson, Pam McNeese, Kylee Koon, Dot Waffird, Chris and Jenny Lewis. Set-up and Clean-up Crew included the Young Professionals and CrossTrainers Sunday School Classes. I am grateful to everyone involved in preparation and to everyone who brought food to share for the evening. I like being with my friends.

Missionaries Jay and Teanna Sundberg are in town next week. They serve as Field Directors for the Southeastern European Field of the Church of the Nazarene. They are responsible for Bulgaria, Romania, Kosovo, Albania. This is the field where Michael Follis, Preston Hunt, Graham Scott, Jake Resor, and Daniel Smith are currently serving. Jay and Teanna used to serve in Russia with Jon and Kathy Mowry. They are available on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, to speak at HCN in an open forum telling us about themselves, where they serve, what they do, and to answer questions about mission in the world. Would you plan to attend this event?

Large pine trees crowd the property line between HCN and our north boundary neighbor. Harsh wind and rain in the last weeks have ripped some of the pine limbs off the trees and blocked access into and off of our west parking areas. Robert Parrish cleared the first branches and Charles Jewell cleared a massive limb that required an entire day to cut up and haul away. I am most impressed, however, not with the chainsawing or the hauling. I am most impressed that after each man labored to clear the property, they blew the parking lot clear of debris. I may have cut and hauled but someone else would have dealt with the details. Thanks, men. I am humbled and grateful.

Since the first week in June, young people have gathered on the HCN campus every Monday morning for the purpose of finding transportation to a week of camp at Garner Creek. Today (Tuesday), the young people gathering are headed to Nazarene Youth Congress in Louisville, KY. Pray for their safety and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in their worship services. Youth Congress members are Brian Brinkman, Ben Mabry, Robert Luther, Corey Miranne, Justin Angle, Andrew Vines, Sophie Green, Hannah Garrett, Katie Gracy, Josh Cater, Brandon Shepard, Alex Houser. Their chaperone is Pastor Shane Tarter.

The 100^th Assembly of the Tennessee District Church of the Nazarene meets this week at Nashville First Church at 510 Woodland Street. The first service meets on Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at 7:00 PM. It includes special music, a challenge from the district superintendent, and a reception to follow. Assembly business begins on Thursday, July 7, 2011, at 8:30 AM. The Ordination Service begins at 7:00 PM on Thursday. The NMI (Missions) Convention and business meets on Friday, July 8, 2011, at 9:00 AM.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard