Monday, October 24, 2011

October 24, 2011

Congratulations to the ten believers who were baptized into Christ and the church on Sunday, October 23, 2011, in the 5:00 PM service. Each made a public confession and followed after Christ into the baptismal waters. I baptized Sara Drummond, a senior high teen. Pastor Carol Waller baptized five elementary children: Elizabeth Stinson, Isabella Stinson, Dakota Biggs, Jonathan Pilarski, and Stephen Swoner. Dr. Bryce Fox baptized his daughter, Brenae Fox, and a father, mother, son: Eric Ni, Susan Ni, and Raymond Ni. The sacrament provided a true opportunity to hear stories of faith and to celebrate.

Congratulations to the Mt. Juliet Middle School Girls Soccer Team who are the 2011 undefeated District Champions and District Tournament Champions. Team members who either call HCN their home church or visit frequently with teammates are Savanah Collins, Morgan Houser, Hannah Jackson, Marileigh Mabry, Chandler Scott, Sarah Carter, Corinne Cheatham, Julian Duggan, Kendell Rice, Katilyn Bender, and Karah Sharpe. Marileigh was injured in a fluke accident moments before the championship tournament game and was unable to play. Her previous contributions to the team’s success were acknowledged by still bei

ng chosen all-tournament.

Congratulations to Alex Gray, student at McGavock Comprehensive High School and a member of the McGavock Marching Band. On Saturday, October 22, 2011, the band was named Reserve Grand Champions at the Contest of Champions held at Middle Tennessee State University. They also took second place honors in the Extra-Large Classification. They were the second highest scoring band in the state of Tennessee.

Pastor Eddie Witkowski led LiveWire (middle school) Students on a camping retreat to Fall Creek Falls last weekend, October 21-23, 2011. They not only survived the coldest weekend of the year but thrived in the wilderness. Chaperones were Kevin Davenport, Jake Pilarski, Jonathan Paddon, Ginger Magee, Adrie Brown, Eddie and Yana Witkowski. Retreaters included Carson Davenport, Teddy Joyce, Joel Jones, Daniel Magee, Cameron Davenport, Josh Pilarski, Keegan Brown, Nolan Magee, Jacob Paddon, Bryce Poole, Matthew Helm, Shelby Jackson, Isabella Green, Kristin Paddon, Kenzie Eiseman, Catherine Mann, Becca Waller, Sarah Helm, Maddy Rouse, Hailey Gold, and Kailey Perkins.

Pastor Ken Jewett led a LEAP Hiking Trip for Trevecca Students last weekend, October 21-23, 2011. Students included HCN peeps Anna-Laura Green, Shelby Bowman, Chelsea Hardy, Cassie Hunt, and Vera Pendergraft.

There are four significant events I need to talk with you about that arrive in the next seven days.

· The first is the Candy Parade on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, at 6:30 PM in the HCN Center. Bring 200 pieces of candy to give and come and sit and share with the children of our church and community. Children from infants through grade 4 are invited to dress up and take a candy walk. Bring a bag/sack/container.

· The second is the Seasonal Flair Event for Women on Thursday, October 27, 2011, at 6:30 PM in the HCN Center. Tickets are $6. Highlights include fellowship, shopping at vendors booths, crafty ideas, taste and take recipes.

· The third is the Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, October 29, 2011, from 7:00 to 8:30 AM in the HCN Center. Jill Satterlee cooks and serves breakfast from 7:00 to 7:30 AM. Dr. Steve Stride, HCN member and a licensed clinical psychologist, speaks from 7:30 to 8:30 PM. If you have an opportunity, register your intention to attend with the church office at 847-3335 or hlplummer@aol.com.

· The fourth is the Fall Fish Fry on Sunday, October 30, 2011, at 5:00 PM on the west end of the HCN campus. It is the largest and most popular social of the year. The menu includes freshly fried fish, French fries, homemade hushpuppies, slaw, and white beans.

Families are asked to bring a large drink and a dessert. There are twenty cookers ready to go. Wayne McNeese still needs volunteers who would serve as food runners from the fryers to the serving tables. Send a message to the church if you would like to help.

My good friend, Daron Brown, attended second service yesterday with his wife, Katie, and children, Kendall, Parker, and Macy. He is the pastor of the Waverly Church of the Nazarene and in the midst of a sabbatical. Daron attended HCN as a student at Trevecca in the 1990’s and as an intern for one semester. He is a contemporary of Matthew Mullins and Chuck Seay. It is my biased opinion that Daron is one of finest graduates of the TNU School of Pastoral Ministry and that the school should find a way to clone him.

Approximately one month ago, I wrote about the possibility that you would consider a significant offering for world missions at Thanksgiving. It is a long-standing tradition in the Church of the Nazarene for gifts to be given for missions at Thanksgiving and Easter. The Radical Series in progress in the HCN Sunday School has five particular challenges: pray for the entire world; read through the entire Bible; sacrifice your money for a specific purpose; spend your time in a specific context; commit your life to a multiplying community. Could I ask that you consider sacrificing your money for a specific purpose to be fulfilled in a Thanksgiving Offering for world missions? There is a generation of young men and women from HCN who sense a specific call to serve God in global missions. We guarantee there will be a place for them by giving now and continuing to give. Spencer and April Baggott, members of HCN, currently serve as missionaries in Kigali, Rwanda, with their three children. Please pray and think and ask God for direction regarding this investment.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

Monday, October 17, 2011

October 17, 2011

Congratulations to Jason and Katie Waffird on the birth of their daughter, Harper Grace, on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at 10:41 PM at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Harper weighed 7.8 lbs and measured 19.5 inches in length. She is the granddaughter of Rusty and Brenda Waffird; the niece of Jarrod and Emily Waffird; the cousin of Chandler Waffird; the great-granddaughter of Dot Waffird. We give thanks to the Lord for a safe delivery and a healthy baby girl.
Today is the first day back in the office after two weeks of vacation. If you have missed the pastoral letter, it is not because you were ignored. I want to recognize the significant ministry of preaching offered by Shane Tarter and Ken Jewett in my absence. I have received emails from many of you telling me what wonderful messages each man delivered. I am delighted at your reports and the good news that God is at work dispensing his gifts. Bill Stricklin told me there is quite a stable of preachers on this pastoral staff. I agree. Thanks to Rondy Smith and Carol Waller for providing support ministry during worship services.
It would not be a bad time to mention that October is the month designated for pastoral appreciation. If you value the ministry of Rondy Smith, Carol Waller, Sam Green, Ken Jewett, Shane Tarter, or Eddie Witkowski, send them a note or card and tell them. Praise provides lots of encouragement to continue on the way. I highly value each of these women and men.
Rhea McCoy is the single mother of three young adult men while she works as an employee of an international airline flights. Rhea left a voice mail message last week saying she was getting ready to leave for a flight to New Dehli but wanted to call and comment on the church marquee message: “O God of Second Chances, here I am again.” She said she has read that message on our sign through the years and thanked God it was up again reminding her of God’s grace and love. I hope it works the same for multitudes more.
I received a facebook message on Sunday from Luke Coffey in Australia. Luke was an exchange student who lived with Bobby, Donna, and RJ Shankle some years back. He is now graduated from the university and has a government job. He wrote to tell me that he is listening to the sermon podcasts on the HCN website and has received great encouragement from them. He said he lives in a culture with little to encourage spiritual life but that God is doing a work in his own life. I find it interesting that the Holy Spirit is speaking and reaching through marquees and podcasts even when we are unaware. Rhea’s message and Luke’s message made me genuinely glad. When you think the darkness is overwhelming, remember that God’s light is piercing into places you and I know not.
Could I make an appeal to all men in the church that stretches from middle school age to senior adulthood? I would like to personally invite you to a breakfast on Saturday, October 28, 2011, from 7:00 to 8:30 AM in The Center. The cost is a donation. I want you to eat and I want you to listen to my friend, Dr. Steve Stride. I want you to listen to Steve because I believe he has lots of relevant things to say to us. Steve is a licensed clinical psychologist who is a real person. He is a husband and an involved father of three boys. He coaches his son’s football team. He has played on the men’s softball team for the last two years. He and Leisha, his wife, serve their time as volunteers in all of the preschool areas. Steve is also a serious Christian. He believes that his faith informs every area of his life and actions. As pastor, I have asked Steve to address some issues that I believe will help us personally and with our families. If you plan to attend, would you call the church office at 847-3335 or email me at hlplummer@aol.com. We need some estimate for food preparation. I hope you will give some thought to this.
Twelve years ago, I was diagnosed with adult onset diabetes. It was an early diagnosis and I am very fortunate that to date, I have no damage to major organs, eyes, or legs and feet. For eleven years, my blood sugar stayed in complete control depending on varying medicines and insulin shots. In the last year, by blood sugar has changed and has become unpredictable. I have a great endocrinologist who cares about me and has monitored my health closely. Five years ago, he began to talk to me about weight loss surgery. He told me I would need a surgery that would address serious and long-lasting weight loss. I laughed at him. I told him I could never do that. In the last year, I began to talk to him about a less invasive procedure and he told me I should really consider gastric bypass. Six months ago, I began to jump through the hoops at Centennial that prepared me for the surgery. On Monday, October 3, 2011, at 8:00 AM, I had the gastric bypass procedure that alters my eating for the rest of my life but particu-larly over the next six to nine to twelve months. I will lose a significant amount of weight so that is why I am giving you this information. If you think I am sick and dying, I am not that I know of; as a matter of fact, I am getting well. I did not intend to tell you more than you wanted to know. Forgive me if I did.
I know that school breaks have seriously affected our attendance over the last weeks. I am hoping that this Sunday gets us back on course. I am aware that there is a Titan game at home at noon. There is a 9:00 AM service in the sanctuary if you are interested. I look forward to seeing you. I am grateful to serve as your pastor.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard