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
Posts
