February 14, 2011

Congratulations to Kim Vann who was chosen as Teacher of the Year at Castle Heights in the Lebanon City Schools for the 2010-2011 school year. Kim teaches a self-contained comprehen-sive development class. It is her twelfth year of teaching special education. Kim loves her job and feels lucky to have a career where her students lead by example, encouraging her to do more with her own God-given abilities.

The Discovery and Twenty-Something Sunday School Classes combined their energy and efforts on Saturday, February 12, 2011, and hosted ten men from Room-in-the-Inn at HCN. Hosts included Gary and Mary Lou Heskje, Craig Pell, Jessie and Avie Joyce, Marilyn Jordan, Cassidy Nelson, Dena Muri, Rodney and Tammy Jones, Joel Jones, Teddy Joyce, Jonathan Paddon, Bill Jackson, Lisa Anderson, Paul and Pam Stonecipher, and Wayne McNeese. Their various tasks included providing transportation, serving a hot supper and breakfast, packing lunches to go, offering a place to shower and wash clothes, chaperoning overnight sleeping, being together in mutual respect as fellow human beings. All of these things are commended by Jesus as the very things we do to him when we do them for the most powerless. A special letter was sent to the church this week from Room-in-the-Inn thanking the congregation for providing food and shelter to the homeless during recent severe winter weather. It is our pleasure.

Dr. Greg and Amy Crofford visited at HCN last Sunday where Greg spoke in all three worship services. Greg and Amy serve as career missionaries through the Church of the Nazarene in the Africa East Region. Although they live in Nairobi, Kenya, they do not serve the Kenyan region as Kenya is entirely self-supporting with five distinct districts. Greg serves primarily as an educator and Amy serves as an administrator and writer. They serve in nine French-speaking countries in Africa. I am always nervous when someone I do not know comes to HCN to speak. I sat in first service on Sunday and submitted myself to the Holy Spirit. I asked that he speak through Greg and that he would calm my heart. I have received an email this morning from a mature man telling me how God dealt with his heart yesterday in services. I continue to learn that God is always at work doing something very good sometimes without my assistance.

The Church Board met for its regular monthly meeting on Sunday, February 13, 2011, at 4:30 PM to receive finance reports and to handle the following business items: 1) Third service will continue through May 1, 2011. More evaluation will come as college students go home for the summer. 2) Effective March 6, 2011 (the first Sunday of March), second service start time will move from 10:00 AM back to 10:15 AM. The change extends the close time for the Sunday School session. 3) Local ministerial licenses were renewed for Tes Tigabu, Daniel Smith, Jake Resor, Shane Tarter, and Webb Trojan. 4) Local ministerial licenses were issued for David Taylor, John Nelson, Jared Bouton.

When schools were released early last Wednesday, February 9, 2011, and reports on the internet Doppler said a snow storm was impending for the greater Nashville area, we struggled to know what to do regarding the cancellation of our services. It had not snowed yet. It was just very, very cold. Jill Satterlee had already prepped for the Wednesday night meal and it was on hold in the refrigerators. Teens came home from school and began to post pleas NOT to cancel church. Please, please, please, they said. Well, finally, we knew services had to be cancelled for safety reasons and when the snow came like a blizzard, it proved to be a wise decision. Most every family has a story of how long it took someone to get home last Wednesday. The point remains that lots of young people were sad. They wanted to be with their friends. That matters to me. Carrie Knox called me last week to say thanks for bragging on the Senior High Students during the message. She told me as a senior adult widow, she comes to church every week largely to watch those kids in worship. She believes in them. So, sorry that we had to cancel services last Wednesday. I hope it always makes you sad.

The Second Grade Sunday School Class made valentines on Sunday and I found a whole packet of them on my desk after the third service. I now have documented proof that I rock and that I am a BFF (best friend forever). Thank you. I needed that.

Sam Green missed attending Sunday worship for the first time in three weeks. However, it was for a very good reason. Sam was receiving platelets every other day until his doctors told him last Wednesday that he could wait for four days. The day for new platelets was Sunday. I asked Sam several weeks ago when he was going to sing the song he missed singing in last September’s fall concert. He told me he plans to sing it this Sunday, February 20, 2011. I hope I get to listen.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

February 7, 2011

Welcome to the newest members of Hermitage Church of the Nazarene: Matthew Bastin, Jessica Long, Toby Haydel, Esther Owens, Matthew Owens, Stephanie Owens, Ed Joyce, Stacey Joyce, Jessie Joyce, Avie Joyce, Teddy Joyce, John Nelson, Cassidy Nelson, Jared Bouton, Sarah Jo Bouton, Hannah Garrett, and Olivia Garrett. The total of seventeen were received through-out the morning at the close of three services. They are natives of California, Florida, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Tennessee. Their ecclesial backgrounds are Lutheran, Baptist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Dutch Reformed, Non-denominational, and Nazarene. Ten of the seventeen join by profession of faith. Four of the new members profess a call to ministry. Each member brings the gifts and graces of their spiritual life to the body of Christ at HCN. We celebrate our union.

Madi McNeese participated in a Dance Competition last weekend in Memphis and won first place in two events in the Petite Division. Congratulations, Madi.

Sam Green attended second service on Sunday, February 6, 2011. That is two Sundays in a row the boy was strong enough not only to be present but to smile and to participate. I am having conversations with Sam about when he might sing the song he prepared for the Fall Concert. It remains his to testify.

Some months ago, several men who are relatively new to the church told me how glad they are that HCN has groups for men. Men’s Fraternity is one of the groups, meeting on Sundays at 5:30 PM in Room 225. This week, on February 13, 2011, the group begins nine sessions focusing on Your Unique Design. The program identifies natural strengths and types of environments in which a man thrives. There is a $35 online inventory that will require two hours of time. The men who have already taken the inventory report that it was worth the effort even before processing the nine weeks of class.

When the Mission Africa Team traveled to Kenya in June of last year, we met twenty-six orphan girls who occupied the Suvia Children’s Home. One of the girls was Wanza Mutheu. Wanza confessed that she wanted to become a nurse and so my wife, Anna, took her under her wing and taught her how to dress sores and rashes on the other orphans. She was a pro. When we were asked to sponsor a particular girl, our decision was easy. We chose Wanza. There are multiple photos of and letters from Wanza on our refrigerator. Anna intended for her to come and visit in our home when she was old enough. Last Tuesday, February 1, 2011, I received an email from Ben Kikuvi, a beloved member of the World Servants Team in Kenya informing us of Wanza’s untimely death. Today, a phone call came from Rhoda Kisua, wife of Pastor Nicholas Kisua, telling us that Wanza died from a virus that had traveled to her brain. It is hard to comprehend how a bright, healthy young adolescent woman can slip so quickly from the earth to heaven. Her funeral is tomorrow (February 8). Twenty-five orphan girls will attend. I can see them and hear them. I bet they are singing.

Gail Foster asked me on Sunday to give more details about the six pieces of clothes challenge for Lent. I want to remind you that this is only one option to consider. It is one idea. I understand that not everyone finds this challenging or possible. My wife is one, however, I find it interesting that she is trying to tell me what colors to choose for my six pieces.

Six Items or Less…this is a challenge to select six pieces of outer clothing to wear over a specific period of time to teach principles of simplicity, a life with less.

The time frame begins on Ash Wednesday, March 9, 2011, and concludes on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011.

The rules are to select six pieces of top clothing (pants, shirts, etc.), and only six pieces which you will wear during this time frame. The exceptions to the six pieces are undergarments, shoes, socks, accessories, workout clothes, pajamas, outerwear, and work uniforms.

The idea is not original. It was tried first last year in an international experiment. People assumed that everyone would notice, and they didn’t. Not people at work, not even family members who did the laundry. We may think our clothes define us, but there really is so much more to who we are. College students in our congregation have attempted some variation of the experiment since October and they are trying it for one year.

It only has spiritual value if you want it to have spiritual value. It has the potential to be a rules game or to give you something to be falsely humble about; however, it also has the potential to break into habits of excess. One of the pieces of following Jesus is to “deny yourself.” This experiment could be a foot in the door.

It is snowing again.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

January 17, 2011

I visited with Sam Green this morning at Centennial Medical Center. Nurses were hanging some platelets to keep his blood work strong. He is coming off of steroids and moving up the food chain diet. Sam has taken on pieces of his music/worship role at HCN, doing things he has not done since last September. He has selected and ordered the Palm Sunday music for the choir and sending missives as we speak. The Green family hopes this is week Sam gets to go home. One of Sam’s nurses visited second service yesterday.

Third service started again yesterday but in a new location. The Sanctuary was a perfect fit. I cannot commend the musical team enough for their preparation and delivery.

Donny Jackson led congregational singing with Paul Vann and Beth Fox as praise team vocalists. Donny also played the guitar which is confessed is his instrument of choice. Paul Bolling played all of my favorite percussion pieces which I think Paul masters. Michael Waller played the baby grand and David Flint played acoustic guitar. Michael and David are the quiet, behind the scenes coordinators who make things flawless.

Ken Jewett started recruiting a music team for LiveWire worship when he realized Jeremy Michael would not be available last Sunday. He called Beth Fox who pulled in Bryson Fox, Jameson Scappaticci, and Nathanael Jackson to accompany her. Ken had nothing but praise for the goods delivered.

One more thing about music assistance: at the close of second service on Sunday, I needed someone to help us with music. I called for someone in the band (Michael, Donny, and Dave were setting up in the sanctuary for third service). Randy Layne was the person who came to help and played a wonderfully soulful song on his bass guitar. What a gift. As I walked off the stage in the center, Carrie Lounsbury met me and asked if I needed help on the keyboards at the close of services. I told her I did and she said she would be there next Sunday. I think some glory rose up to heaven right then.

Margaret Mathias was one of the eighteen people from HCN who traveled to Kenya last June. Rob asked early on if it would be okay for his mom to go and we agreed. Margaret was a devout Christian, an experienced nurse, a pray-er. She was kind and wonderful. When the girls at the orphanage were treated to cleanse their faces, their hair, their legs, Margaret was one of three people who did all of the work. What few people on the trip knew was that Margaret was in remission for cancer. Last Thursday, January 13, 2011, Margaret died. The memorial service is today (Monday). It is hard to believe that a person as vibrant as Margaret could be gone within seven months. We rejoice that she was a part of our Mission Africa ’10 Team and that we were a part of each other. Margaret was sixty years old.

Youth Villages visits HCN this Thursday, January 20, 2011, at 7:00 PM in the Parlor of the Center. This is a second opportunity for people in our church to listen to opportunities for foster care and adoption. If your heart is pulled in this direction, please attend. Each speaks to our proactive support for the sacredness of life.

Senior High Pastor Shane Tarter led sixty-one students and eight chaperones on their winter retreat to Gatlinburg last weekend (January 14-17, 2011). Students included Ryan Mahoney, Matt Lucas, Evan McDaniel, Colby Earles, Andrew Vines, Ben Mabry, Hunter Steinmetz, Isaac Thompson, Braden Maphet, Hannah Garrett, Jessica Joyce, Sophie Zander, Jessica Perkins, Josh Cater, Stephanie Owens, Eric Owens, Cassie Hunt, Trevor Hunt, Sarah Griffith, Bret Washing, Christi Fite, Anna Laura Green, Sophie Green, Dalton Winfrey, Abby Winfrey, Page Abernathy, Morgan Harold, Callie Crosslin, Cameron Woodfin, Austin Woodfin, Chase Busherfield, Alex Houser, Paul Polland, Miranda Buyna, Lucas Houge, Katelyn Houge, Kevin Helm, Jonathan Tigabu, Jessica Long, Matt Bastin, Taylor Clark, Daniel Jones, Hayley Fee, Robby Amity, Ryan Amity, Timmy Porter, Phillip Caulkins, Sarah Matthews, Allison Huffman, Ben Griffith, Toby Haydel, Jonathan Mowry, Corey Miranne, Grant McCoy, Reed McCoy, Johnny Lee, Felix Menke, Justin Angle, Robert Luther. Chaperones included Gina Winfree, Sandra Hunt, Alan Elkins, Tanya Bastin, Esther Owens, Teresa Vines, Holly Steinmetz. Shane sat in my office this afternoon and told me he thought it was the most spiritual retreat he has experienced with the kids. There were only two trips to the ER.

Reminder for the Men’s Breakfast at Mt. Juliet Cracker Barrel on Fridays at 6:30 AM with Dennis Scholl and Doug Gold. All men are welcome.

Reminder for those who want to pray for Matthew Bateman, nephew to Tony Dozier, who is being deployed to Afghanistan for a fifth tour of duty. When Delores Thompson wrote me to join the prayer team for Matthew, she asked I could remember her nephew, Michael Pickartz, who is being deployed to Afghanistan for his fourth tour of duty. Could I ask that those who have written me about Matthew would include Michael in your daily, weekly prayers?

I am thankful for you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

January 11, 2011

Snow has come again to Middle Tennessee. I am thankful first of all that it did not come on Sunday. I am thankful secondly that east Davidson County, west Wilson County were not forgotten. I am amazed that the trash collection truck and the postal service jeep were able to navigate to my cul-de-sac. The Tennessean paper car made it this morning (Tuesday). The paper said to go to the internet to find out who won the Auburn-Oregon Championship Game. Congratulations to Auburn fans.

The Life Connections Sunday School Class hosted ten homeless men through Room-in-the-Inn on Saturday-Sunday, January 8-9, 2011, on the HCN campus. The group provided Saturday supper, Sunday breakfast, and a sack lunch to carry away. They chaperoned the dry and warm evening rest; opened the facilities for washing clothes; made the showers and lockers available for getting clean. The men are always transported by our van to and from downtown Nashville and treated with kindness and respect. HCN hosts included Pam and Paul Stonecipher, Wayne McNeese, Tim and Treila Garrett, Ronnie and Pam Crues, Jerry and Lori Wallace, Tom and Shannon Stephens, Buddy and Kristi Mabry, Gary and Christine Helm, Stephan and Susan Scappaticci, Traci Hollandsworth, Jonna Taylor, Hannah Dubin, Dean Beach, and Beth Rice. The words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 25:40 say that whatever you did for one of these brothers, you did for him. Thanks.

A Zone Quiz Meet for Children was held at Trevecca on Saturday, December 8, 2011. Briley Ruff represented HCN and had a perfect quiz; received a gold all star and memory verse ribbon; received two perfect round ribbons. It was his best quiz yet.

Congratulations to Kylee Koon who has completed course work for her master’s degree in education at Trevecca Nazarene University with a 4.0 GPA. She graduates in the commencement in May.

After three weeks of hospitalization, Sam Green is physically improving daily. His body is retaining nutrients from the food he is consuming which was not true for the first two weeks. The numbers in his blood work are superior. His doctors are very pleased. Sam is ready to be home with his baby girls and they are ready to have their daddy home. We give thanks for the intercession healing for Sam.

The Church Board met on Sunday, January 9, 2011, at 4:00 PM for the regular monthly meeting. The proposed budget prepared by the appointed task force (Phil Jordan, Scott Steinmetz, John Mannen, Jerry Keener, Howard Plummer), was presented by Phil as the chair of the Finance Council. The budget was unanimously approved following lots of questions and discussion. There was a strong sentiment expressed from board members that we begin to include the weekly need in the weekly tip sheet and Sunday bulletin. So, you will find that number at the bottom of the numerical information this week. Also, permission to continue the third service through the next board meeting was sought and approved. The third service begins again this Sunday, January 16, 2011, in the Sanctuary (note change of location). There are other pieces being processed for this service.

The Discovery Sunday School Class beings a 14 week study on Sunday, January 30, 2011, of Christ’s life and ministry based on The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey. The series employs video clips of various film portrayals of Jesus as a basis of discussion. If you attend first or third worship and would like to try a Sunday School Class, please join this group. For more information, speak to Jonathan or Sarah Paddon or email at jwpaddon@tds.net.

Dennis Scholl and Doug Gold are starting a weekly men’s prayer breakfast on Fridays at 6:30 AM at the Mt. Juliet Cracker Barrel. The meeting will include a short devotion, prayer, and fellowship. Men, this is your invitation.

Tony Dozier sent me an email on Monday asking me to return his nephew, Matthew Bateman, to our prayer list of soldiers. Matthew is headed to Afghanistan. It is his fifth tour of duty in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Matthew’s mother is Tony’s sister, Carolyn, who lives in California. When Carolyn visits us, she attends each morning worship service so that she can hear her son’s name called in prayer. I feel strongly that a small group of people need to pray for Matthew’s safety daily. If you would be one of those people, write me a note and drop it in the offering plate or email me at hlplummer@aol.com.

The words from Sunday’s message are “consistent and conscious submission.” Jesus is our model.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

January 3, 2011

Congratulations to Brian and Dorinda Biggs on the birth of their daughter, Atalaya Marie Biggs, on Tuesday, December 28, 2010, at 6:29 PM in Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Atalaya weighed 8 lbs 3 ozs and measured 19 inches in length. She is the sister of Dakota and Emberlynn. We bless the Lord who has blessed Brian and Dorinda by entrusting this child to their care and nurture. We thank him for safe delivery.

Congratulations to Kyle Smith on his performance in the 5^th Annual Power Showcase on Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 28-30, 2010. Kyle hit the longest homerun with a wood bat (429 feet); placed 2^nd in the 1^st round with six homeruns; tied for 4^th in the championship round. The Showcase is by invitation only for high school students. See Kyle’s picture at www.power-showcase.com.

Carol Waller, Shane Tarter, and I visited with Sam Green at Centennial Medical Center after staff meeting this morning (Monday). Sam’s primary doctor had just visited and told Sam that after twelve days in the hospital, his gastro system should have shown more improvement as it copes with graft versus host disease. In two to three days, if there are no changes, the doctor will begin new meds and new treatment with more challenging results. We pulled up chairs, gave Sam a pep talk, and then had a prayer meeting. Would you pray with us that God will intervene for Sam? He needs to be able to eat and to keep the nutrients in his body longer.

The Wesleyan Covenant Service gave form to worship at HCN on Sunday, January 2, 2011. John Wesley’s inspiring challenge to renew our covenant with God included music, prayer, scripture, communion, and major responsive readings. Thanks to vocalists Paul Vann, Keli Green, Beth Fox, Emily Sullivan, and HCN Worship Choir members. Thanks to musicians Willard Brinkman, Michael Waller, Andy McCormick, Dave Flint, Randy Layne, Graham Scott, Paul Bolling. Thanks to Billie Ragland and Shirley Maschinski for preparing communion trays for 600+ people. Thanks to Rondy Smith for assisting with the reading of liturgy. Thanks to Tammy Tarter for directing the choir and leading congregational singing.

We speak often of the musically talented people who worship at HCN. At Christmas, some of the people who regularly share their talents were away visiting or on vacation and needs existed for others to step up and in. And they did. One of the people who best illustrates that practice was Rich Herring. Rich came early to worship to practice the offertory song his wife, Suzanne, was singing. By profession, Rich plays the guitar. When someone in the band asked if there was anyone who played the drums, Rich said he had a set when he was child. He then sat down at the drums and played wonderfully for the whole morning of music. I saw Rich playing and assumed it was a regular piece of his arsenal; until someone in the band told me this story.

When I attempted to list the names of those who hosted Room-in-the-Inn at HCN on Christmas night, I failed to list Kelly Ann West. Kelly Ann is a friend of Beth Rouse who made 4 homemade pumpkin pies from fresh pumpkins for the men. She actually made multiple pies for local ministries. Thanks.

Teams are getting slack for setting up the chairs in The Center on Saturday. It does not make for good attitudes when you come to serve and there are only three people to accomplish the very large task. Set up begins weekly at 4:00 PM. Adult Sunday School Classes are assigned weeks on a rotating basis. If you do not attend a class but would be willing to help on any Saturday, you would be greatly welcomed and appreciated. If you are not a part of a class but would be willing to be assigned a Saturday, call Rondy Smith at 847-3335 to volunteer.

For fifteen years, Anna and I have lived in a house on Raccoon Trail that is just off of Old Lebanon Dirt Road. It’s called the country. The main thoroughfare that connects us with the church is Tulip Grove Road. Tulip Grove is a twisting, winding, up and down, two lane road that has more than once been under water after heavy rains. It is a take your life in your own hands road. You know when a rookie is driving it. Up until three to four months ago, it had more potholes than any road on which I travel. One morning on the way to work, I noticed that someone had started to patch the worst stretches of Tulip Grove. I felt encouraged. However, there was one particular long hole that got missed and I just could not believe that someone would patch every other hole and miss that one. I muttered and complained to myself going and coming. Then, to my amaze-ment, the paving machine came and repaved every inch of Tulip Grove Road with thick, heavy paving material. The patching was only a precursor. I was thankful. I felt joy. I also remembered how I had doubted the good common sense of the people paving the road. I want to do better. I need to believe that I am not the only person in the world who knows that there are holes in the road. It is a good resolution for 2011. I hope you have some with as much substance.

Schedules are back to normal this Sunday with the exception of third service. See you in Sunday School.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

December 27, 2010

It is the week after Christmas and I need to rest. Do you? I loved all of the events and activities and services and took them one day at a time. Anna and I hosted the pastoral staff team and spouses for dinner in our home on Tuesday, December 21. We celebrated our thirty-eighth wedding anniversary out with close friends on Wednesday, December 22. We celebrated Sue Smith Dobbins’ eighty-ninth birthday on Thursday, December 23, with dinner at Bobby and Rondy Smith’s house. Sue is Anna and Bobby’s mother. We participated in the Christmas Eve Service at HCN on December 24. On Christmas morning, we rose early and drove to Brady and Michelle’s house to watch Kennedy and Leyton open presents left by Santa. We ate breakfast, drove home, and started cooking for our 5:00 PM dinner with everyone. Somewhere in the week, I enjoyed a good visit with Sam Green at Centennial. I read and soaked in scripture and structured the sermon for Sunday morning. On Sunday, December 26, I worshipped at HCN with my sisters and brothers in Christ.

This was our third year for a Christmas Eve Service at HCN. Too many people asked for too many years that we try it and so we did. It was so simple but so inspirational. We prayed; read scriptures; sang great Christmas hymns; received communion; listened to Landon Collins sing “Away in a Manger”; watched three and four year old children (Ava Collins, Kyler Kelley, Tyler Koon, Kennedy Plummer, Carson Slocum), portray the nativity; lit the Christ candle and passed the light to the congregation. The sanctuary was packed floor and balcony with chairs down the aisles and lining the back wall. These are the comments posted by some on you on my facebook page regarding the service. “I love the service. I love the times we gather in the sanctuary.” “Brother! We loved it. I was a little torn up singing the old hymns.” “I wish there was a LOVE button. LIKE just does not cut it.” “The sight of a packed house of people saved by grace with candles lit all in the name of Jesus. There was no other place I would rather have been tonight.” “We did our celebrating before the service time. Did not ask who was going with me…just said we needed to leave by 6:30 PM. Had some whines, but held my ground. Our home of 2 had 7 people there.” “I loved the packed house. I loved being squished between my husband and a woman who I met for the first time. I loved that one of the balcony doors was accidentally left locked and every couple of minutes someone knocked softly on the door.”

Snow really did come Christmas Eve night. And more on Christmas Day. And more on Christmas night. So, Sunday morning travel was questionable. I left my house at 9:00 AM for the previously scheduled one service at 10:00 AM. When I walked into The Center at 9:15 AM, the band (Randy Layne, Jay Barfield, David Flint, Michael Waller, Graham Scott, Rich Herring), was already practicing; the praise team (Tammy Tarter, Suzanne Karr-Herrring, Emily Sullivan), was rehearsing; Brian Biggs and Robert Sullivan were setting up sound and lighting. I honestly thought: how do I get to be a part of this wonderful, responsible group of people? Music was spirited. Suzanne and Rich provided the soulful offertory. We prayed for Kyle Russell with his family at open altars. Kyle leaves tomorrow (December 28), for Texas and basic training in the Air Force. Kyle came to see me on Christmas Eve and we had a great heart-to-heart conversation. After preaching, we gathered at the front of the Center for communion. I met your families who were visiting and I think I was honest when I bragged on you. Actually, I am sure I was honest. There were 212 people counted who were able to drive to church.

Since this is our second snow in December that affected Sunday services, could I talk to us about general decision making regarding future services and ice and/or snow? If there is winter precipitation on a Sunday, we will move to one service at 10:00 AM and it will probably meet in The Center. If there is winter precipitation on a Sunday afternoon/evening or Wednesday evening, we will most likely cancel services. The easiest place to check is the church website at www.hermitagenazarene.org or my facebook page. We try to make as many phone connections as possible for those who have no access to the internet. There is no perfect system. I ask for forgiveness in advance.

End of the year giving is available by mailing your contributions to HCN, Post Office Box 111, Hermitage, TN 37076, or by bringing your contributions to the church by Friday, December 31, 2010, at 4:00 PM. The important thing is to date your check for 2010. I always come to the end of a church year having received at least a dozen requests for charitable giving. Some I give to regularly. Some I would give to never. But I wonder if I have made a sufficient appeal for the church as a place to give. I would have a hard time telling you how appropriate I think it is to give to HCN in the midst of serious mission and ministry. I hope you feel the same.

The Church Board meeting scheduled for Sunday, December 12, 2010, at 4:30 PM was canceled due to ice and snow that afternoon and evening. The busy Christmas schedules kept us from rescheduling. The next Church Board meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 9, 2011, at 4:00 PM. Please note the earlier time.

The Genesis Sunday School Class hosted Room-in-the-Inn men at HCN on Christmas Day and evening. I do not have a complete list of those who helped but those I know include Wayne and Pam McNeese, Ricky and Dianne McNeese, Lisa Anderson, Paul and Pam Stonecipher, Andrew and Katie Nelson, Christy Stonecipher and Dennis Hughes, John and Erika Mannen, Jared, Anthony, and Alyssa Mannen, Steve, Lisa, and Kyler Kelley, Becky Evans, JD and Angela Hissey, Joe and Carol Clem, Dan and Cathy Preston, Bob and Rhonda Ward, Marvin and Ruth Heath, Carter Poole. Various groups of people provided gifts to the men including reading glasses from Ruth Heath. Paul Stonecipher said the reading glasses were received like candy.

Sam Green spent Christmas Day with his family in Centennial. The graft versus host disease that proves his brother Steve’s stem cells have taken over his body put him there. Pray that Sam continues to get well, slowly but surely.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

December 20, 2010

Congratulations to Donnie and Angela Dillon on the birth of their daughter, Jessie Rae Dillon, on Monday, December 13, 2010, at 3:26 PM at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. Jessie weighed 7 lbs 9 ozs and measured 20 ½ inches in length. She is the sister of Sadie, Lila, Donnie Jr., William, Mary, and Amanda. We bless the Lord who has blessed Donnie and Angela by entrusting this child to their care and nurture.

HCN Middle School Students (LiveWire) presented the Christmas narrative with drama and music on Sunday, December 19, 2010, at 6:00 PM in The Center. Christine Helm wrote and directed the production. Diane Cater, Beth Rouse, and Crew created the set. Brian Biggs, Robert Sullivan, and Caleb Foster operated the sound and lights. Donny Jackson, Paul Bolling, Michael Waller, Dave Flint, Jay Barfield, Nathaniel Jackson, and Jameson Scappaticci formed the band. Cast members included Drew Silvernail, Jonathan Silvernail, Joel Daughtery, Michael Mathias, Jared Mannen, Annie Carter, Madeline Rouse, Isabella Green, Bryson Fox, Morgan Houser, Bethany Ruff, Marileigh Mabry, Olivia Garrett, Kristin Paddon, Jacob Paddon, Izzy Scappaticci, Chandler Scott, Anna Waller, Anthony Mannen, Sara Waller, Abby Elkins, Grant Reigard, Bethany Ruff, Brielle Fox, Lydia Foster, and Shelby Rose. The drama was simple and easy to follow. The music revealed lots of talent. I enjoyed it immensely.

Thanks to the New Life Sunday School Class for providing set-up and clean-up and to Lisa Anderson for generally directing the food service. Thanks to everyone who brought pizza or pasta dishes and desserts and drinks. The food was good and plentiful.

Thanks to a variety of people who stepped forward on Sunday to make the music and drama happen. Thanks to Jamie Slocum who sang with the praise team and provided the special music for the offertory. Thanks to Stephan Scappaticci for the story of the geese and the doubter. Thanks to the band which plays every week and the choir which sings every week and to Tammy Tarter and Donny Jackson who lead congregational singing and choirs. Thanks for your time investment and use of musical gifts.

A Christmas card with this handwritten note was received by the church last week: Dear Friends, we lived in Waterford during the May flood. While this was a difficult time for us, volunteers such as ones from your church made a big difference through their kind acts. It wasn’t just the bottle of water or meal either. It was enlightening to have strangers helping just because they could. So we wanted to thank you for your contributions to our flooded neighborhood. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. Amy and Nathan Qualls

Elsie Patton Elementary School in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, has twenty-six students who are provided take-home backpacks with food for the weekend every Friday of the school year. HCN provides that food through special offerings received in the adult Sunday School classes. Kenzie Eiseman, a Middle School student at HCN, works with the backpack program as a project for the Beta Club at her school. At Thanksgiving, it bothered Kenzie that the students went home for a long weekend with not enough food. She asked the school coordinator if something could be done to provide food for the students over Christmas break. When word was passed around about the project, food for sixteen Christmas boxes was brought to the church. Kenzie and her mom went to Krogers to buy food for the rest of the boxes and before they left the store, the manager had provided a large discount for all of the groceries and some of the employees had paid for the food. Some of us already know the story. Most of us do not. I think it is a great model for what happens when one person, a middle school student, gets proactive about a need and it provides a handle for other people, unlikely people to get involved in serving others. Families were waiting in the rain last Thursday morning at 6:30 AM at the school to receive the groceries.

Christmas is this week. I read somewhere of a woman’s disgust at a nativity scene in a store Christmas window. She huffed, “Can you believe it? They try to drag religion into every thing.” I felt a little snooty. Ignorance can make me arrogant. I also read that American families feel more spiritual about Thanksgiving than about Christmas. They feel thankful to God at Thanksgiving and go on vacations at Christmas. It is our job, yours and mine, to engage our culture and help others to know the reason for the season. How do we shine a light on the Christ child? The Christmas Eve service on December 24, 2010, at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary is available. There will be carols and communion and candlelight and children. I can guarantee you the spirit will be high. Christmas Day offers an opportunity to teach. This is the day to celebrate the birth of Christ. Will you read the story? Will you pray? There is one service at HCN on Sunday, December 26, 2010. It meets at 10:00 AM in The Center.

You are greatly loved and appreciated. Merry Christmas. Jesus has come to save us from our sins. Go tell it.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard