Pastor Shane Tarter led twenty-four guys, nineteen girls, and seven chaperones on the Annual Senior High Retreat to Gatlinburg last Friday to Monday, January 15-18, 2010. Student names are Dalton, Taylor, Jonathan, Jessica, Alyssa, Anna-Laura, Sophie, Emily, Whitney, Brian, Katelyn, Ben G., Ben M., Hunter, Daniel, Grant, Reed, J.T., Will, Brett, Lucas, Austin, Braden, Toby, Scott, Evan, Eric, Justin, Robert, Phillip, Matt, Cassie, Morgan, Presley, Miranda, Alex, Ashley, Claire, Clarissa, Amanda, Paige, Kristy, Cali.
Chaperones included Shane, Barry Whitehead, Holly Steinmetz, Tracy Haydel, Darlene Miranne, Gina Winfree, Kristi Dozier. I know they arrived safely in Gatlinburg and safely home and that according to facebook posts, it was the best retreat yet. They wanted another day. Take advantage of the opportunity to talk to the students and ask how things went.
Phil Jordan serves as the chairperson of the HCN Finance Council and the recording secretary of all giving to the church. He is a trusted, long-serving member of the church. He is extremely private with your personal information. This Sunday, January 24, 2010, Phil will be present in the foyer of The Sanctuary following 9:00 AM worship and in the lobby of The Center following 10:15 AM worship to distribute envelopes containing the record of your giving to HCN for the 2009 calendar year. The information is printed on IRS approved forms and signed by Phil and myself. Phil will distribute these envelopes for two weeks and then we will begin to find addresses and mail those not distributed. Please check your record and if the form you receive does not agree with your record of giving, please contact the church office and we will contact Phil.
A major earthquake measuring 7.0 magnitude struck the nation of Haiti on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. It is suspected that more than 100,000 are dead from the affects of the quake with at least 3 million people affected. There are more than 115,000 Nazarenes in Haiti. The churches they represent are working to provide water, tents, basic supplies to the people. Our elementary children have already prepared 114 Crisis Care Kits which are enroute to Nashville First this morning for transporting. Last Sunday morning our children held each bag and prayed for those who would receive them. If you would like to give through an agency which will guarantee the 100% delivery of your gift to assist the Haitians, visit www.ncm.org/HaitiEarthquake. NCM represents Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.
Six years ago, a mother of two young men at HCN became severely convicted that the church needed to address the issue of sexual purity with our young people. This conviction was provoked by listening to a radio program and then reading a book. We tested her conviction by asking that she work in a leadership position to make something happen. She was shy and not inclined to being in up front situations, but she agreed out of her love for her children. What emerged from that impetus was a developed curriculum and small group process which includes every middle school and high school student and their parents. The church teaches it every other year. LiveWire Students begin the curriculum this week. They will tackle the issues of dating and sexuality by processing how faith impacts our choices. Carol Waller will lead the class for parents. Group leaders are carefully recruited and selected. Please make it a priority to involve your young person in these classes.
Sam Green’s bone marrow transplant date is now published: Thursday, February 25, 2010. Pray for Sam’s good health leading to the transplant and for the hundred day window which follows for his cure.
The Mission Africa Group traveling to Kenya this June 10 to June 27, 2010, meets for their first dinner group meeting on Thursday, January 21, 2010, at 6:30 PM in The Parlor. Each person is to bring a favorite salad or vegetable dish. The meeting will last until 8:00 PM. Deadlines for various documentation will be shared. Rob Mathias has accepted my invitation to serve as administrator for our group.
I am full of faith for the way God leads our community at HCN. I hope you are engaged in a small group, in a place of worship, in a place of service. I love you.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
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