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
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