Monday, November 28, 2011

November 28, 2011

Thanks to Max Andrade, Doug and Christy Gold, and Bill Manley, for sharing pieces of their lives during Sunday morning worship yesterday. For five to six years, I have selected three or four people from the congregation to tell their stories on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I attempt to ask people who are relatively new to the congregation and who have experienced significant life events in the past year. I think it is easy to attend worship week-after-week and to believe that everyone else has a smooth life. It helps to know that we all have tough places and times of struggle. It took great courage for each person to stand and speak. I appreciate your investment in both services. Thanks to Billie Ragland for overseeing the preparation of communion for each service.

Congratulations to Max Andrade and Jennifer Lee who were baptized in a 5:00 PM service on Sunday, November 27, 2011, in the Sanctuary. Pastor Shane Tarter interviewed and baptized Max and Pastor Rondy Smith interviewed and baptized Jennifer. We rejoice in their declarations of faith and their receiving of the sacrament.

The New Life Sunday School Class began the Room-in-the-Inn season at HCN on Saturday, November 26, 2011, by hosting ten homeless men in our facilities. HCN Director Paul Stonecipher served as transporter to and from the downtown center. Ray Render and Jody Sweeten served as overnight chaperones. Ronnie Marsh, Kendell Poole, Tony Dozier, Darlene Miranne, Tammy Poole, Stephanie Gamble, Stacey Sweeten, Charlotte Rose, Judy Shepard, Ginger Magee, Pam Stonecipher, Mike Miranne, and Lisa Kelley prepared the evening and breakfast meals and the take-away lunches; set up tables and televisions and bed cots; offered washers and dryers and showers for personal needs. They treated our guests with courtesy and dignity. Jesus said whatever was done to and for these men was done to and for him. Think about that for a while. Thanks to the New Life Class for representing all of us.

The B1 Senior High Men set up the tables and chairs on Sunday night in The Center. Lisa Anderson and Pam McNeese led the hard work in setting up the serving tables. Thanks for your service. Thanks to everyone who brought soup, salads, desserts, and drinks. The people at my table enjoyed the great variety. Thanks to Tyler Koon for bringing in the light for the Advent candles.

This Sunday, December 4, 2011, at 6:00 PM, HCN Children present their Christmas program and musical in The Center. We always have lots of guests so we need lots of food to serve. Bring a tray of sandwiches or veggies or fruit and finger food desserts. Deliver your food to a kitchen window and service will be set up in the hallway.

Each Sunday in worship, we pray for a significant list of soldiers by name. Those names represent sons, grandsons, friends, neighbors, co-workers. Some of the soldiers are on their first tour of duty. Some of the soldiers are on their fourth tour of duty. What sacrifice. Our specific request in prayer is that God will return each soldier safely to his or her family. I have one request of you. When you know that a soldier has returned stateside, would you notify me or the church office. I am listing the names here: Ryan McDaniel, Micah Terry, Jeff Holland, Brandon Hanks, Eric Lathrop, Jeremy Binkley, Matthew Muniz, Michael Resendez, Jamie Nicholson, Dylan Booher, Ron Ray, Nicole Rollis, Jeff Worley, Kevin Thomas, Josh Samuels, Derek Thornhill, Shawn Crofutt, Clint Hale, Allison and Brian Murray, Sean Clymer, Ricky Lutz, Kurt Kile, Jason Schlee, Matt Clouse, Sawyer Smith, Jamie Hazel, Caleb Cook, Jamie Barber, Robert Pizzatola, Thomas St. Thomas, Dan Hansmeier, Mike Berman, Anton Hoffman. If you know someone who has returned, please call.

The Thanksgiving Offering for world missions totaled $8,125 for the month of November. Thank you for your participation, prayer, and thought.

The Mission Africa ’12 Team is reaching critical schedule points in its venture. Shot regimes must be completed. Passports must be secured. Rosters must be finalized. Strange as it may seem, there are always a few people who really want to go and wait until the last months to join the team. If you are one of the people who is holding back, it is time to identify yourself. In the month of December, minimal deposits must be made for those registering for the trip and in the month of February, all monies must be paid for airfare. We are getting near the point where we could not add people if we wanted. So, now is the time. We still have room for you. Are you supposed to go on this mission?

It is possible that you have no direction to go on this mission but you feel drawn to assist someone else in participating. I know several young people and several adults who could use your help. Talk to me if you are interested. The end of the year is a good time to give for tax credits.

Quite a few college/university students were present in worship on Sunday. They were home for Thanksgiving. I had an opportunity to speak to several and to tell them how much I had missed them. They told me how much they had missed church and how they had enjoyed worship on Sunday. One young man told me it would only be two to three weeks and he would be home for Christmas and back in church. I look forward to him being home with us.

I look forward to all of us being home.


In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard