September 26, 2011

Congratulations to Eric Owens, freshman at Belmont University, elected to the forty member Congress in the Student Government Association. He is one of twenty students chosen for the Freshman Leadership Program.

Congratulations to Robin Jewett, instructor in the Physician Assistant program at Trevecca Nazarene University. Physician Assistants must recertify every six year by taking a long and difficult exam (PANRE). A passing score is 379. A score of 720 places the student in the top one percentile. Robin scored an 800 which is beyond extraordinary.

Congratulations to Michelle Plummer, elected to the Trevecca Nazarene University Athletic Hall of Fame, to be inducted at Homecoming Ceremonies in November. Michelle was a scholarship volleyball player at TNU from 2000-2003. She is a graduate of Trevecca and the graduate research program at Vanderbilt Medical School. She serves as the assistant coach of Girl’s Volleyball at St. Cecilia’s High School and is the mother of three preschool children.

Dr. Sam Green led the Hermitage Worship Choir in two morning worship concerts in The Center on Sunday, September 25, 2011. Vocalists included Lisa Anderson, Jo Apple, Melody Beach, Dorinda Biggs, Joy Bradley, Joyce Clevenger, Kristi Dozier, Julie Foster, Beth Fox, Anna-Laura Green, Keli Green, Wendi Harrison, Traci Haydel, Marvin Heath, Traci Hollandsworth, JoAnn Jackson, Ken Koon, Pam McNeese, Herb McMillan, Miriam McMillan, Lindsey Miller, Anna Plummer, Ruthann Ring, Beverly Sharpe, Bobby Smith, Kari Snyder, Ken Stegall, Tammy Tarter, Jenni Thompson, Jim Trease, Paul Vann, Brenda Waffird, Jami Walker, Joe Walker, Deborah Walter, Misty Webb, and Betty Willis. Band members included Jay Barfield, Paul Bolling, David Flint, Donny Jackson, Patrick Lake, Randy Layne, Graham Scott, and Michael Waller. I think it should be noted that Michael Waller played knowing he was going to his father’s wake in the afternoon and memorial services today. The concerts exalted the Lord Jesus Christ by declaring his name, his saving work, his attributes. What a tremendous display of talent and energy.

Kristi Mabry, Hermitage Missions President, and the Missions Council presented the Missions Fair in The Center on Sunday, September 25, 2011, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. The Team who made it happen included Jared (co-leader) and Sarah Jo Bouton, Jeremy and Heather Michael, Donna Shankle, Amy Walvoord, Jenn Neely, Matthew Mullins, Marvin Heath, Bev Mitchell, Ken Jewett, Jody Scott, and Adrie Brown. Helpers who assisted in the action included Kris Neely, Shane Tarter, Hunter Steinmetz, Reed McCoy, Daniel Jones, Chase Wheeler, Josh Cater, Ben Mabry, Robert Luther, Eddie Witkowski, Christine Helm, Jill Satterlee, Marilyn Jordan, Miriam McMillan, Ken Elkins, Kim Vann, Jill Sweigard, Kailey Perkins, Hayley Gold, Marileigh Mabry, and Shelby Rose. Multiple and diverse agencies opened their displays and tables and offered opportunities for mission in the neighborhood and around the world. One mission leader told me our church was the first Nazarene Church to invite her agency to a fair. A Room-in-the-Inn executive told me Hermitage Church was the church homeless men plead to be put on their list because of how they are treated. He had great words to say about Paul Stonecipher, the HCN director of Room-in-the-Inn. An estimated 300 people attended the fair.

Thanksgiving may seem far away to you, but I want to talk to you about something that has been a part of my Thanksgiving for decades: the Thanksgiving Offering for World Missions. Since I was a child, the Church of the Nazarene has received special offerings at Thanksgiving and Easter for world missions. These days, those offerings support 702 missionaries in 156 world areas, sharing the gospel. It supports 175 compassionate ministry centers in the United States and Canada to care for underprivileged and hurting people. 10.6 million people have accepted Jesus because of the sponsorship of the Jesus Film and 27,769 churches have started because of them. 10,205 children in 79 countries are supported through the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Child Development Fund. 54 Nazarene Schools provide education in 34 countries. Hermitage Nazarenes give between $55,000 to $60,000 to the World Mission Fund each year. Most of the time, we do that in catch up fashion in May and June. Would you begin to think about and pray about the possibility that you would give an offering for missions at Thanksgiving time? I will talk to you more as Thanksgiving gets closer.

I have not written it this year so here goes. Fall officially arrived last Friday, September 23, 2011. It is my favorite season and I think the favorite season of most people I know. It has its own distinct smell and wardrobe and colors and foods. I know it brings a lot of rain but I like rain too. And, as if you needed more, the farther you get into the fall, the sweeter the collard greens taste. When God renews the earth, I am hoping I get a lot of fall.

I know that the Wilson County School break begins this weekend and extends into the next three weekends. That means lots of people are going out-of-town. If you are in-town, I hope you will make it your business to attend Sunday School and worship. I look forward to seeing you and being with you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

September 19, 2011

Welcome to the eleven newest members of Hermitage Church of the Nazarene: Doug, Christy, Hayley, and Jack Gold; Jessica, Kailey, and Regan Perkins; Bill and Angela Manley; Andy Myers; and Stan Stocki. They were born in New York, Germany, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Their church backgrounds are Southern Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, and Nazarene. They are students, bank officers, CPAs, and retirees. Each person brings their own spiritual gifts to this local body and we celebrate who they make us. They belong to us and we belong to them. They are committed believers in Jesus Christ and his church.

On Thursday, September 15, 2011, Trevecca Nazarene University honored three women. First, they honored Dr. Nina Gunter with the recognition of a service award to women in her honor. Second, they presented a national service award to Senator Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina. Third, they presented a servant leadership award to a TNU student who exemplifies all of the qualities of Dr. Gunter and Senator Dole. The recipient was Vera Pendergraft, a student who calls HCN home while in Nashville. Congratulations to a very deserving Vera. Vera was a member of the Immersion Mission Teams in Eastern Europe last summer.

Congratulations to Trevecca’s newly elected freshman class officers who attend HCN. They are Brian Brinkman, president; Anna-Laura Green, chaplain; Chelsea Hardy, communications; Cassie Hunt, student services.

Eighty plus middle school students packed onto the property of Isaac and Morgan Houser last Saturday, September 17, 2011, in the evening. They were there for a bonfire (I heard it was 10 feet tall); for food (I heard there was chili); for a game of the underground church (can Eddie really scream that loudly?). Everyone posted great reports on the FB page. If I had names, I would post. I think they want to remain incognito (underground church and all).

Chuck Seay served on the HCN pastoral staff for ten of the last fifteen years. He now serves the Sheffield, Alabama, First Church of the Nazarene, as senior pastor. Chuck, Jennifer, and Jack were on vacation last Sunday and decided to spend the morning at HCN. We love the Seays and rejoice at the good ways God is using them in Alabama. It was good to give them a squeeze. My, how Jack has grown.

Jamie Stanfill came to second service on Sunday, September 18, 2011. It was his first Sunday out of prison in several years. People in that service prayed with Jamie and his family on the Sunday before his incarceration. Jamie thanked them for their prayers at the mic. Now, he is about the task of rebuilding his life with vows to stay clean and close to the church. Encourage Jamie when you see him.

There will be a Called Church Board Meeting this Sunday, September 25, 2011, at 4:00 PM in the Parlor. The board needs to be informed and discuss a positively important issue.

Dr. Sam Green directs the Center Worship Choir and Band this Sunday, September 25, 2011, in their Annual Fall Concert entitled “You Reign.” The first concert begins at 9:00 AM in The Center. The second concert begins at 10:30 AM (notice this is thirty minutes later than usual). The schedule is an attempt to give time to exit and to enter the buildings and parking areas. Special events always provide opportunities for us to invite our unchurched neighbors, friends, coworkers, family, fellow students to church with us. Take a risk and invite someone. What do you have to lose? What do they have to gain?

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

September 12, 2011

Congratulations to Jerrod and Emily Waffird on the birth of their daughter, Chandler Elizabeth, on Sunday, September 11, 2011, at 9:15 PM at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Chandler weighed 7 lbs 3 ozs and measured 19 ½ inches in length. She is the granddaughter of Rusty and Brenda Waffird; the niece of Jason and Katie Waffird; the great-granddaughter of Dot Waffird. We give thanks to the Lord for a safe delivery and a healthy baby girl.

Donnie and Angela Dillon presented their daughters, Jessie Rae and Amanda Gale, in dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, September 11, 2011, in the 9:00 AM service in The Sanctuary. The girls were joined at the altar by their siblings: Sadie, Lila, William, Donnie, and Mary. Pastor Carol Waller carried Amanda for the blessing journey and I carried Jessie. We bless the Lord who has blessed Donnie and Angela with children to love and nurture in His ways.

Matthew and Sabrina Keener presented their daughter, Andrea Cherlyn, in dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, September 11, 2011, in the 10:15 AM service in The Center. Andrea was joined at the altar by her brothers, Trace and Levi; grandparents: Jerry and Marilyn Keener, Paul and Cheryl Cote; aunt and uncle, Julie and Aaron Foster; cousins: Caleb, Lydia, Ethan, and Elizabeth Foster. I carried Andi for her blessing journey and her toes were a favorite feature. We bless the Lord who has blessed Matthew and Sabrina with children to love and nurture in His ways.

Congratulations to Hayley Fee elected by the MJHS Student Body as the 2011 Homecoming Queen. Hayley was crowned during the Homecoming Football Game on Friday, September 9, 2011. She was escorted by Ben Mabry. Ben is the President of the MJHS Marching Band. Both are HCN Seniors. Anna-Laura Green was the 2010 MJHS Homecoming Queen.

Second service yesterday broke the routines of scheduled order. Young people came to the altars to pray at all sorts of irregular times and their courage opened up opportunities for the rest of us to pray. As the Holy Spirit steered the service, I tried to keep us out of the way. I watched all four altars fill front and back twice and people seated on the steps of the platform. Then I watched people move out of their front seats so their chairs could become places of prayer. In the midst of the wonder, I forgot that new members were waiting to be received at the close of worship. I can only ask for forgiveness and a promise to check with each of you for a new schedule.

Paul Vann brought his friends to church last Saturday night. They provided the show for the Grounded in Hope Benefit and they were sensational. They sang gospel, patriotic, country, Elvis, Patsy Cline, Tina Turner, Neil Diamond and whatever else floated your boat. For years, they provided the show on the General Jackson. This night, they sang and played so a team of twenty to twenty-four people from HCN could go to Africa in June 2012. Thanks if you bought a ticket to the benefit or donated a service or item to the silent auction. Thanks to John Reigard who was the mastermind behind the event and to Teresa Vines, Traci Hollandsworth, and Jody Scott who provided organizational support. The 2012 Team (still forming), includes John Reigard (leader), Traci Hollandsworth, Kim Vann, Valerie Marsh, Phil Stinson, Jody Sweeten, Robert Angle, Justin Angle, Rachel Jones, Adrie Brown, Teresa Vines, Andrew Vines, Gregg Trotter, Madison Trotter, Dan Scott, Richard Rouse, Max Andrade, Deborah Kuiack, Jackie Kuiack, Betty Willis, Anna Plummer, Howard Plummer.

The HCN Worship Choir and Band presents their Fall Concert, “You Reign,” on Sunday, September 25, 2011, in two services at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM in The Center. We initially planned for one service but realized we cannot all fit into one seating. So, please plan for your family to attend one of the services and invite your unchurched friends and neighbors to come with you. Dr. Sam Green directs the choir and band. Sam reminded us on Sunday that it was two years ago he received his first diagnosis of acute leukemia and only one year ago that he passed out on stage to go through round two. This year is a celebration of complete remission for Sam, for his family, and for us.

I am grateful to God for you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

September 6, 2011

Rain, wonderful rain has soaked Middle Tennessee and made our once brown lawns think about turning green again. It encouraged some of us to stay in bed a little longer on Labor Day Monday and then held us inside to do generally whatever we felt like doing. It was kind of like a snow day. I took my two year old grandson, Leyton, out on the front porch last night to show him the rain and to talk about all the sounds it makes in the trees. He then refused to let me return indoors. I do respect whatever captures the attention of a two year old child.

Pastor Ken and Robin Jewett provided the lunch for college students on Sunday, hosting forty-five people. Are you interested in assisting in this monthly venture? Volunteer with Ken at ken.jewett@gmail.com.

The Labor Day Cookout turned into an Eat-in because of the rain. Wayne McNeese plowed through his own physical ailments to lead Kenny McNeese, Ricky McNeese, Ken Koon, Paul Stonecipher, and Phil Stinson in grilling the hamburgers and hotdogs. Lisa Anderson, Pam McNeese, and Kylee Koon prepared the sliced tomatoes, onions, and condiments. The Set-up and Clean-up Crew came from the Faith Builders Sunday School Class and included Jim and Brenda Agee, Jeanette Flatt, Myrna Sisco, Mary Alice Butler, Wendell and JoAnn Poole. Thanks to everyone who produced the side dishes, salads, desserts, and drinks.

The Grounded in Hope Benefit Concert with Paul Vann takes place this Saturday, September 10, 2011, at 7:00 PM in The HCN Center. Tickets cost $25 for general admission and $50 for reserved seating. All proceeds support the cost of sending the Mission Africa Team to Kenya in June 2012. A Silent Auction is also available in The Center Lobby. I made a quick list of some of the products and services included: photo sessions with Valerie Marsh; floral arrangements by Keli Green; coffee products from Dan Scott; photos by Reed McCoy; Babysitting by Anna Waller; computer tech services by Philip Lutz; tutoring sessions for grades 1-5 by Beverly Mitchell; pies, cakes, cookies, banana puddings by excellent HCN bakers; Titans tickets; St. Louis Cardinals tickets; Titan hats; Dale Earnhardt Photo/Frame; Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Photo/Frame; Predators Tickets; Windtree Golf Course twosome; Riverside Golf Course twosome; Grand Ole Opry tickets; Ipod products; car details; massage; A New Day Salon cut/style; Stylemaster’s haircut/style; Tangles Salon Gift Card; Two Roads Band CD; Campbell Hausfield power wash; Walk-in bathtub; crocheted products (hat, scarves, purse, bride/groom); Wildhorse gift package; Needham’s Nursery; car wash kit; homemade jellies; paintings; fleece throws; smoke detectors; Gibson hoodies and hats; Goodyear gift card; Scenty candles basket; Christmas scrapbook; large tote bags; Avon gift baskets; gift cards from Longhorn, Shagor, Fulin’s, El OK Corral, Courtney’s Restaurant and Catering, La Hacienda’s, El Chico’s, Chili’s, The Corner Pub, Outback. Please do not be mad with me if I did not include something you donated. The omission was not purposeful. I took fifty tickets to sell. I need help.

Graham Scott, Andy McCormick, Anna-Laura Green, and Christi Fite regularly contribute to The Center Worship Band and Vocal Praise Team on Sunday mornings. They are college students. Hunter Steinmetz, Ben Mabry, Sophie Green, Grant McCoy, and Reed McCoy sing in the Vocal Praise Team. They are Senior High Students. I watch them and listen to them and think about how proud I am to know them and how gifted they are. It requires a great deal of courage and faithfulness to stand up in front of the church week after week. Thanks.

Senior Adults and Friends gathered for our monthly pot luck luncheon last Friday. The variety of foods was incredible and the company was just as good. Our meetings conclude with spiritual conversation. I ask a specific question and everyone shares their own personal answer. On Friday I asked for people to share a memory of the season of fall. The stories were remarkable. When we were finished, one of the ladies told me that her mother would call her when she got home and ask what we had to eat and what was the question this month and what did people say. I was moved by the power of a simple lunch to take on life that fed the spirit of another. I told another lady what was just spoken to me. And she told me when she got to her parent’s home that afternoon, they would ask her the same questions. I forget how rich my life is. Do you?

The tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001, is this Sunday. That seems appropriate to me. Ten years after terrorists flew airplanes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in NYC, into an open field in Pennsylvania, into the Pentagon in Washington, DC, our country and our world remain forever changed. God, on the other hand, is the same. Psalm 27:1 says: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” As we recognize this tenth anniversary this Sunday, may we exalt the Lord who is the source of our strength and security.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard