Congratulations to Cole and Erica Ebel on the birth of their son, Cason Paul Ebel, on January 4, 2010, at 3:52 PM at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. Cason weighed 7 lbs 9 ozs and measured 21 inches in length. He is the brother of Colin Ebel; the grandson of Jeff and Sally Ebel; the nephew of April and Eric Branscum, Clint Ebel; the cousin of Erikson Branscum. Erica delivered a healthy baby without meds. We give thanks to the Lord for answered prayer and for the blessing of a child into the lives of Cole and Erica.
Congratulations to Hannah Garrett, 2009 Track Champion in Heavy Honda. Hannah will drive in the Monster Trucks at the Sommet Center on Saturday, January 16, 2010, at 6:00 PM.
Early Christians hosted Room-in-the-Inn at HCN on Saturday, January 9, 2010. Jon Alderman drove the van from downtown Nashville which brought ten homeless men to our campus for food; a dry, warm, safe place to sleep; a place to shower and to wash clothes; a place to be spoken to and treated with dignity. Thanks to the following families who represented all of us: Freddie and Norma Jean Stroupe, Glen and Pat Detwiler, John and Melinda Knott, Ken and Betty Willis, Ted and Becky Martin, Bobby and Linda Meadows, Paul and Pam Stonecipher, Christy Stonecipher, Robert and Barbara Parrish, Tommy and Mary Ann Boner. Last week when the temperatures were so low, The Tennessean reported there would be up to seventy-five people per night who would be turned away from already-full shelters in Nashville. Could you imagine sleeping under a bridge last week?
Pastor Ken Jewett and four HCN college men attended the Passion Conference in Atlanta on an extended weekend of January 2-5, 2010. Michael Follis, Graham Scott, Derek Brinkman, and Daniel Smith gathered in the Philips Arena with 21,000 plus people from ages 18-25 years for a great spiritual stirring. If you are friends with Daniel Smith on facebook, you need to read his blog entitled “Don’t Count Out College Students—Thoughts and Stories from Passion 2010 ATL.”
Sam Green is home from the hospital and his last major chemotherapy. Sam’s brother and bone marrow donor, Steve Green, was instructed to report to Centennial on January 29, 2010, for the beginning of his process. Sam believes his transplant will come the first of February 2010. Continue to pray for Sam’s complete healing.
I am one of the people who makes fun of the Wilson County School System when they close schools because they THINK inclement weather is coming. Yet, having said that, I did not like being in the position of trying to decide what was best for worship schedules on Sunday, January 10, 2010. While major roads were cleared, side roads remained sheets of ice including the road off of Saundersville Road and onto the church property. My neighborhood cul-de-sac remains solid ice this morning. On Saturday morning, we made a decision to move to a pre-existing harsh weather schedule for Sunday: one service at 10:00 AM in The Center. The information went out to SS teachers and age level directors to contact their own small groups and the information went to local television stations for their streaming announcements. I realize how imperfect the system is and I apologize if you were missed in broadcasting the announce-ment. For the rest of this winter, we will move to this schedule again if roads are hindered by ice or snow.
A word of reminder if you sponsored poinsettias for the church at Christmas: Senior High Students handle the ordering and delivery of flowers to the church at Christmas and Easter. It is a service to the church and a small fundraiser. When sponsors fail to pay for their flowers, it is the Senior High Budget that takes a hit. If you have not paid for your flowers yet, take the time to write the check and drop it in the plate on Sunday. The fund is currently at a deficit.
I believe God is doing great things in many of you. May his stirring, his awakening continue.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
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