August 17, 2010

Sunday, August 15, 2010, wrote some history for HCN. It was the first day of the experiment to add a third service at 11:30 AM; to begin second service earlier at 10:00 AM; to conclude Sunday School fifteen minutes sooner; to begin a new Adult Sunday School Class and Senior High Sunday School Class at 10:00 AM. It was only the first day, but it was a good beginning. Ninety-one people attended third service. The critical mass of warm bodies was important. The Center is big but the building did not seem empty. I find the most important thing to say about the service: the Spirit of God was big and filling the praises and prayers of his people. There were lots of young people and there were lots of adults. Several whole families attended saying the later start time was very attractive. Dr. Wilbur Brannon attended all three worship services and told me after the third service that he had loved them all. Dr. Larry and Dr. Gay Leonard attended all three worship services. The Leonards were present for other reasons but could only express their excitement at what they saw and heard. Kristi Mabry wrote this morning of her positive feelings about the service. All three services were excellent for me. I loved the music and the pulse of each. Services started and stayed on time and dismissed appropriately. The dynamic of the new schedule has produced unexpected, unintended pluses. Sunday School numbers were up, up, up. First service has received new attenders who have always preferred more traditional worship but needed a support Sunday School Class of their peers. Second service had some empty chairs which we needed to be able to invite new people again. I do not know where the changes will take us by December. However, I cannot express strongly enough how much I appreciate the cooperation from so many people to give this a chance. Thank you music people who sing in two services or play in two services. Thank you pastoral staff team for flexing in age level ministries. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for blowing us where You will.

The second piece of history was the recognition of the fifteenth anniversary of the Plummer family moving to HCN to serve. Anna, Kelly, Brady, and I moved to middle Tennessee in August of 1995. The Church Board led the day, represented by board secretary, Matthew Mullins. The board extended a one month sabbatical to be used at our scheduling. They also invited the district superintendent of the Tennessee Churches of the Nazarene, Dr. Larry Leonard, to be present and to address the congregation. In the evening, the board had arranged a great party in the Center planned and coordinated by Teresa Vines. Diane Cater baked a cake with a replica of my preaching bible, the cross book mark I have used for twenty years, and one of my favorite pens. Jill Satterlee catered the massive food stores assisted by Tammy Jones, Feli Tigabu, Jillian Forcum, Rachel Jones. Jennifer Neely decorated the center serving tables. Kris Neely, Kristi Mabry, Teresa Vines, Rick Person, Beverly Mitchell, Betty Willis, Steve Kelley, Tes Tigabu, Carolyn Washing, and multiple teens set-up chairs and food tables. Mike Miranne presided as master of ceremonies. Jake Resor taped and edited the video. Brian Brinkman prepared the slide show. Rondy Smith stealthly stole my bible and Jody Scott stole my pen for Diane’s model. Humbly, I am grateful to each one of you.

Mike Miranne’s words stimulated several people to ask me how many babies I have dedicated, how many members I have received in fifteen years. In the first year I was here, new members included Lee Hodges, Bobby Shankle, Ken and Arlene Dove, Tom Hills, Jonathan and Dawn Crumpton, Chuck Seay and Jennifer Harvey, Wayne McNeese. 668 people have joined HCN in those fifteen years. I am not telling you how many left in those fifteen years. I have dedicated 135 babies, including all the children in many families. Beverly Sharpe told me that she was pregnant with Thomas when I came to interview in 1995. Thomas stood towering over her as she told me that on Sunday night.

I want to acknowledge the support staff and pastoral staff members and laity who have made significant contributions to the church in the last fifteen years. I want to go a hundred different directions here but I could get in trouble mentioning some and missing some. I think I need to recognize them at a different time in different ways. Allow me to acknowledge that a team of extremely talented, gifted leaders have provided the heart and soul of the last fifteen years to serve and move the church forward. I am missing Bobby Shankle. I know the joy in his place is greater than mine but I wish he was here to share this joy. I wish the same for Dr. Harvey Hendershot.

How do I say thank you for the party and your kind words and notes? Anna and I sat up until midnight on Sunday night and read every card. They are keepers. I love you and respect you and highly value your friendship. I am grateful for your willingness to follow leadership for fifteen years. That is one of your distinguishing qualities. You allow me to use the gifts God has given to me. I try to allow you to use the gifts God has given to you. We trust each other. Or at least, I trust you. I had no idea where God would lead in 1995 but it was to a good place for me and my family. I praise him for his goodness and grace. I thank him for you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

August 9, 2010

Congratulations to Matt and Katie Seaton on the birth of their son, Champ Matthew Seaton, on Saturday, August 7, 2010, at 3:03 AM at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. He weighed 8 lbs 5 ozs and measured 19 inches in length. Champ is the brother of Bella and Mia. We bless the Lord who has blessed Matt and Katie with a healthy baby and safe birth.

Congratulations to the nine young people who were baptized on Sunday, August 8, 2010, in the 5:00 PM service in the Sanctuary: Tristan Lee, Morgan Evans, Bethany Thimell, Rachel Thimell, Braden Maphet, Ben Griffith, Morgan Harold, and Jessica Long. Those who baptized were Pastors Carol Waller, Ken Jewett, and Shane Tarter. We celebrate the resurrected new life represented in the sacrament of baptism and the models they provide for the congregation.

Thank you to the Saturday Samaritans coordinated by Marvin Heath who worked on various projects throughout the congregation to assist widows and single parents in caring for their homes. Some of the volunteers worked on projects on the church property. Volunteers were Jeff Cater, Josh Cater, Philip Lutz, Herb McMillan, Kent Kile, Jim Knox, Tanner Webb, Ken Willis, and Carter Poole.

All the services at HCN seemed to possess a special anointing on Sunday, August 8, 2010. The invitation to prayer at the close of second service was still coming out of my mouth when young people started to come forward, and not only forward but up and onto the platform beside of me. Eventually around fifteen to twenty senior high students were standing beside of me with lots more people standing on the floor in front of the pulpit. I was and remain deeply moved by the transparency of those who came to pray and the Holy Spirit who moved them. I am so grateful to the Lord that he still surprises me.

Thank you to the people who joined the Africa Mission 2010 Team at 6:00 PM in the Center to listen to their stories and to see their pictures. I tried to let other people talk but I wanted to tell you some things I think are important to know but were not told:

· Becky Evans ordered what must have been several thousand crosses on ebay months and months before our trip. She purchased the string to go with the crosses and cut them to proper length. The team gave one of the cross necklaces to every child in every school we visited. I wore mine the entire trip.

· I owe Phil Stinson a pair of dress socks. One of my suitcases arrived five days late in Kenya. I had no dress socks for the first Sunday morning in Nairobi and went begging. Phil gave me a pair and I have not returned them. They may still be in Kali.

· Jessica Dozier is a hard worker. On more than one occasion, she functioned as a mule to pull a wheelbarrow to some destination. She pulled and pushed and carried until she earned my respect.

· Rob Mathias led our group in and out of terminals and airplanes and got us to Kenya and back home with grace and a little arguing with airlines. Rob’s mother, Margaret, joined our group for the trip and made everything better, including adding another redhead.

· Hunter Steinmetz and Daniel Jones stepped up every time we needed heavy lifting. I told them before we left that they needed to be the strong men when it came to lifting suitcases to the top of buses and pulling luggage in and out of tight places. I never had to speak to them again. They always carried the heavy loads.

· Jessica, Presley Stinson, Hunter, Daniel, and Andrew Vines loved on the Kenyan children the entire time we were in Kali. They are only teens themselves but they gave themselves away every evening when we returned from a day of work at the orphanage property. Kids from the surrounding community would be waiting on them to play soccer or to take a walk and they were always ready. Andrew began to tell us early that he was a new person and I believe him.

· Teresa Vines gave me medicine on one of the long flights when I was too sick to get medicine from my own briefcase. It was the only flight where Anna and I were separated. It is good to share ailments with a bearer of meds.

· Although John Reigard talked bad about me in his report, I will have a big heart. John is one of the most multi-talented men I know. He has enormous ability in leading children in worship. As I am fortunate to have Anna, John is fortunate to have Rachelle.

· Valerie Marsh and Teresa Vines took some amazing photos on our journey. I do not like to have my picture taken but I now have some of my favorite photos ever. The service did not do justice to all that is yet to be shown.

· Ronnie Marsh and Dan Scott ran almost every morning in Kali, even when they were sick, so that they would not miss the life-time opportunity to run with Kenyans.

· Jody Sweeten helped me receive the news of the death of Palmer Maphet by telling me a call was coming for me on his phone. What little he already knew helped to prepare me for what I heard.

· The Early Christian Sunday School Class served as my prayer partners for the trip. I asked them to pray for my health and specifically the aches and pains that come with age. The two major aches and pains that afflicted me before the trip left and have not returned.

An additional matron is being added to the orphanage at Kali due to the generosity of donors at HCN.

The first Sunday of the new schedule begins this Sunday, August 15, 2010. Remember that first service remains the same at 9:00 AM. Second service is fifteen minutes earlier at 10:00 AM. Third service begins at 11:30 AM. I look forward to seeing each of you in one of the services.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

August 2, 2010

HCN looks for ways to fellowship and starting back to school seems as good a reason as any. So, we enjoyed a Back-to-School Bash last night in the Center. There were no inflatables because we did not have $1,000 to sponsor them. Our times require we make different decisions. The Cooking Team led by Wayne McNeese and staffed by Kenny McNeese, Ricky McNeese, Ken Koon, Tyler Koon, Tim Garrett, and Trey Miles grilled the hotdogs and hamburgers. The Kitchen Crew washed and stacked the lettuce; sliced the tomatoes and onions; and organized the food on the tables. The crew included Lisa Anderson, Pam McNeese, Dianne McNeese, and Kylee Koon. Parents of children, middle school, and senior high students provided set-up and break-down of tables and chairs. I enjoyed talking to friends in the food line and then sitting with my family, Josh Marlowe, and Trey Miles. Josh began a new year this morning as teacher and coach at a Wilson County Middle School. Thanks to every person who prepared and brought salads and desserts to share. The fact that people lingered long says the time was valued and needed. Thanks to the people with servant hearts and hands who cooked and prepared all the food.

Jill Satterlee planned to lead an Art Camp at HCN last week for elementary age children. She had no way of knowing that she would be in a Wilson County Middle School preparing to teach instead. Instead of canceling, artsy and talented HCN people were recruited and saved the day. Thanks to Ken Jewett, Preston Hunt, Michael Follis, and Jody Scott.

Forty-two Senior High Students and their chaperones invested four days at Fall Creek Falls last week. They hiked. They swam. They ate. They devoted themselves to spiritual formation. Their hearts were bonded to each other in Christ Jesus. These were the participants: Brandon Shepard, Hope Elkins, Brooke Elkins, Hayley Hicks, Justin Angle, Ryan Mahoney, Eric Owens, Josh Elkins, Philip Caulkins, Adrie Brown, Cade Crosslin, Matt Follis, Taylor Haydel, Shane Tarter, Rebecca Sharpe, Traci Haydel, Sandra Hunt, Will Miranne, Taylor Clarke, Toby Haydel, Daniel Jones, Rachel Jones, Jake Cannella, Fredric Walther, Jessica Long, Ben Griffith, Austin Woodfin, Natalie Semro, Presley Stinson, Robert Luther, Thomas Sharpe, Braden Maphet, Isaac Thompson, Taylor Steinmetz, Hunter Steinmetz, Morgan Shafer, Paige Hood, Brian Brinkman, Hayley Fee, Trevor Hunt, Cassie Hunt, and Jonathan Tigabu.

Brady Earnhardt wrote a letter to me and to the congregation from the United States Military Academy at West Point. I will post it under the glassboard in the Center Lobby. He would like a card or letter from you. He misses you. Write:

CC Earnhardt, Brady

1205 Abbey Avenue

USMAPS Box 73

Ft. Monmouth, NJ 07703

I drove to Sheffield, Alabama, to visit with Chuck, Jennifer, and Jack Seay last Thursday. Chuck has pastored First Naz there for the last year. He spent ten years of his life on staff at HCN. Jack rode in my car to lunch and told me I had a monster truck. He also told me he missed me. I think Chuck fed him lines. It has been a long time since I drove through so many small towns with speed zones changing every one-half mile. Some things you do for love. I also got good cornbread for lunch. How does someone so skinny know all the good places to eat?

Two big Sundays are just ahead for us. This Sunday is August 8, 2010, and the last Sunday with a regular schedule for at least four months. Enjoy it. The sacrament of baptism will be celebrated in the Sanctuary at 5:00 PM. If you are a believer and remain unbaptized, you need to add your name to the list of candidates. The Mission Africa’10 Team reports to the congregation in the Center at 6:00 PM. The team has great pictures, videos, and stories to share.

The next Sunday is August 15, 2010, and the first Sunday with a new schedule and a third service.

• First service meets at 9:00 AM in the Sanctuary.
• Second service meets at 10:00 AM in the Center.
• Third service meets at 11:30 AM in the Center.
• Dr. Sam Green leads music in all three services.
• First service music includes the choir, piano, and organ.
• Second service music includes the choir, the band, praise team.
• Third service music includes the band and an expanded praise team.
• First service includes communion every Sunday.
• Second and third service includes communion on the fourth Sunday of the month.
• I will preach in all three services.
• A new adult Sunday School class begins at 10:00 AM to give more opportunity to people who would like to attend first worship or third worship.
• All of the changes are an experiment approved by the church board through the month of December 2010.

If you currently attend first service, the schedule remains the same for you. If you currently attend second service, the schedule begins at 10:00 AM instead of 10:15 AM.

Sunday School Classes which currently say they begin at 9:00 AM will actually begin at 9:00 AM and conclude by 9:50 AM.

God constantly calls his people to courage and risk so that he might reveal his power and love to the nations. We humbly attempt these changes believing they provide opportunities for more people to know the Lord and to serve him.

I love you and I am grateful that I have the privilege to serve as pastor at HCN.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

July 26, 2010

Jeff and Suzanne Butler presented their daughter, Zoie Raye Butler, in dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, July 25, 2010, in the 9:00 AM service in the Sanctuary. Zoie was joined at the altar by grandparents: Harry and Donna Wood, Marvin and Becky Butler; great-grandparents: Ken and Anita Peterman; aunts: Brandy Wood, Jamie Wood; cousins: Eva, Nicholas, Jada; friends: Jeremy Hood and Victoria. A long time has passed since a baby was dedicated in first service and the congregation responded with great joy. Lots of people reached out to touch Zoie or to talk to her on her blessing journey. She was sweet and responsive. We bless the Lord who has blessed Jeff and Suzanne with a child to love for him.

Bill Hill and his wife, Hazel, began to attend HCN several years ago at Bill’s choosing. Hazel belonged to a church in the Old Hickory Village but for some reason, Bill would not go with her. He told her if she would go to this church, he would go. They attended the second service. Neighbors who attend HCN and knew Bill told him he would like first service better. He thanked them and told them he liked the music in second service. Then, Hazel died. He took her back to her church for the memorial service and burial. Two weeks later, he was back at HCN. Bill died two weeks ago at the age of eighty. Bill’s niece contacted Ruby Barber and asked if I might help with a graveside service for Bill and I did. When I met with the sweet family to get them to tell me about Bill, they told me of his friends at church. He knew all sorts of people who he described in detail. Ole Blomberg. Valerie Marsh. I was impressed. Bill Hill was a relatively unchurched senior adult who found a spiritual home at an unlikely time in his life. Why am I surprised? Warm, open lives are hard to resist.

Dr. Mike Jackson arrived in town yesterday afternoon with his wife, Cheryl, and their moving truck. Mike is the new preaching professor at Trevecca. Shane Tarter, Scott Primm, Brian Brinkman, Daniel Jones, Cassie Hunt, and I met them at their new apart-ment just off the TNU campus and helped unload furniture. Then we drove to TNU to unload his library into his new office. The Jacksons plan to attend HCN. While Mike has been my good friend for more than thirty years, Shane, Scott, Brian, Daniel, and Cassie had never met him. Sometimes in life, we need friends who have friends.

Rebecca Sharpe leaves for Uganda in two weeks. She travels there on mission with the women’s basketball team from Union University. The team is collecting several specific items to take with them for distribution: twin size bed sheets (new and used), blow bubbles, and stickers. Bring all items to the church by August 6, 2010.

During the months of June and July, pastoral staff members have rotated teaching responsibilities on Sunday evenings. All adults were invited to the Sanctuary to share After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters by N.T. Wright. I taught the first lesson and last night, I taught the last lesson. It was a dense but impressive book. I am grateful to the eight to twelve people who stayed the course and finished the race. I am grateful to my colleagues who were willing to teach tough stuff in the summer.

If you are interested in knowing more about the six pieces of clothing story I shared in yesterday’s message, you can read more at www.sixitemsorless.com.

I received an email announcement today from Maggie Lawrence, a Captain at the Nashville Fire Department. The department is accepting applications for Fire Recruit from today until August 26, 2010. If you are interested or have further questions, contact Captain Lawrence at 862-5230.

Three meetings with very specific purpose are scheduled for the next two weeks. Adult Sunday School Teachers are invited to meet with Dr. Rondy Smith on Sunday, August 1, 2010, at 4:30 PM. A Baptismal Service is scheduled in the Sanctuary on Sunday, August 8, 2010, at 5:00 PM for the purpose of baptizing believers. The Mission Africa 2010 Team presents stories and pictures on Sunday, August 8, 2010, at 6:00 PM in the Center. Reserve space on your schedules.

I look forward to Sunday. It the first of August and the day before school begins in Wilson County. I am missing some of my friends.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

July 12, 2010

HCN celebrated the Fourth of July with grilled hotdogs and hamburgers and all the fixings prepared by the Men’s Cooking Team and the Women’s Ministries Kitchen Team. Wayne McNeese led the grilling team and he told me on Sunday to list Tyler Koon as his assistant. I think I saw Kenny McNeese side-by-side with his dad. Lisa Anderson, Pam McNeese, and Dot Waffird sliced the tomatoes, peeled the lettuce, and chopped the onions, then organized the tables for serving. Thanks to everyone who brought a salad, dessert, and large drink to add to the feast. Angela Hisey baked two rhubarb pies and brought me my very own pie to share with staff on Monday. I ate a piece of the pie she brought to the cookout and two pieces of my own pie. When I went to sit under the trees, Beth Seaman offered me an extra chair and so I sat among my friends. It is a fine thing to be part of a church that still gathers for eating and talking and sitting and being with one another. Thanks to all of the people who worked hard to do the cooking and set-up and clean-up so the rest of us could enjoy the day.

District Conventions and Assembly were held in Memphis at the Calvary Church of the Nazarene last week. Delegates from HCN were Joy Bradley, Alene Gill, Linda Parkhurst, Daniel Smith, Jake Resor, Wendell and JoAnn Poole and pastoral staff members Rondy Smith, Carol Waller, Ken Jewett, and Howard Plummer. Daniel and Jake were granted the first district license in their process toward ordination. Rondy Smith read scripture in the ordination service where Ken Jewett’s ordination in the Wesleyan Church was recognized and transferred. Robin Jewett was at Ken’s side in the service. I had the privilege to pray for Ken. I also had the privilege to ride in the same vehicle with Ken and Jake going to Memphis and with Jake returning from Memphis. I enjoyed the conversation greatly. My favorite piece of conventions and assembly is always the time I get to spend with my fellow pastors. I forget how much I need them and love them. The same was true this year.

The Church Board met for the monthly meeting on Sunday, July 11, 2010, at 4:30 PM and approved the following assignments for this year:

Adult Ministries: Tony Dozier, Kendell Poole, John Reigard, Steve Kelley

Building, Grounds, & Equipment: Jerry Keener, Wendell Marlowe, Lance Waller

Children/Youth Ministries: Jennifer Neely, Jeff Cater, Carolyn Washing

Finance: Phil Jordan, Mike Miranne, John Mannen, Scott Perkins

Mission: Kristi Mabry, Matthew Mullins, Teresa Vines, Beverly Mitchell

The board also received financial reports, reports of old minutes, reports from Africa and possibilities of beginning a third worship service in August.

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The Pastoral Staff Team met this morning for the first time since the first of June with an attempt to work on calendar items. Mission Team members for Africa and Europe need to watch for emails asking about specific dates for reporting to the congregation. A service for the sacrament of baptism is scheduled for Sunday, August 8, 2010, at 5:00 PM in the sanctuary. All who trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior need to be baptized. Call the church office at 847-3335 to place yourself on a candidate’s list.

Promotion Sunday is August 1, 2010. Children are promoted to the next class based on age as directed by Children’s Pastor Carol Waller. I know that you may think Carol is mean and feisty (I would agree with feisty), but she is a trained educator who attempts to make the best decisions for all of our kids. You may think your child is exceptional and deserving of promotion based on the DNA they share with you, but that is not what qualifies for promotion. Please cooperate with Carol. She loves your kids.

Students going into the fifth grade will be promoted to LiveWire Middle School Ministries on August 1, 2010. Ken Jewett directs this age ministry assisted by Jake Resor and Daniel Smith. Students going into the ninth grade will be promoted to Building One Senior High Ministries on August 1, 2010. Shane Tarter directs this age ministry. It is important that we keep order with grade promotion. I understand students who would like to promote themselves into the next social group regardless of grade level but that is not acceptable to either group. We need parents to be the adults who help us make the appropriate age group exciting and acceptable. Thank you. No one is trying to be the heavy here. We have attempted to make exceptions for students who were retained in a grade but promoted each year at church with their peer group. Again, we love your kids. Help us.

When the MissionAfrica Team arrived in Kenya, we met a lady named Sandy who was from Minnesota and who was assigned by World Servants to join our team in ministry. Sandy was a Home Economics teacher in a high school. She brought needles and thread with her and after several days in Kali, she set about sewing up every piece of clothing that needed stitching. She would walk up to kids whose clothing was falling apart and begin to pull it together with thread. Kids stood in line to get stitched. One little boy had on pants that were so threadbare that there was nothing substantial enough on which to anchor a thread. He got new pants. I liked Sandy. I began to realize that wherever we went, her eyes focused on things which needed attention and she moved toward those things. She sewed. She picked up thorn bushes. She washed clothes and hung them on the line. Whatever her hands found to do, she did it. May God the Holy Spirit help me and help you to follow her example. I need to quit talking so much and start doing.

I look forward to Sunday.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

July 5, 2010

Four weeks ago, I wrote the last pastoral letter to you before beginning a journey to Africa with seventeen brothers and sisters from HCN. It was a return trip for Anna and me having first visited in June of 2008. Hermitage Church was well-cared-for by the exceptional pastoral staff team which remained state side. Preaching responsibilities were assigned to Ken Jewett, Rondy Smith, and Carol Waller. Pastoral responsibilities were shared by this team including Shane Tarter. As the senior associate, Rondy and I had conversations about possible needs which might arise but none of us could have predicted the grief care needed at the sudden death of nineteen year old, Palmer Maphet. Pastoral ministry is both Spirit-driven and instinctual. God equips us with gifts and graces or we are barren. Rondy and Shane and Carol and Ken moved toward the Maphet family and toward the HCN family with the gifts and graces of God and God carried everyone. Rondy led the congregation in mourning on Sunday and Shane helped to lead in the memorial service on Thursday. Tommy Boner left an emotional voice-mail message on my phone telling me how God had mightily used Rondy and Shane and the church all week and how proud he felt of the family.

We heard of Palmer’s death in Africa from a phone call in the early evening and those of us who knew him gathered to weep. We shared in a memorial service for him later in the week. We missed the comfort of weeping with all of you. Palmer Maphet was an exceptional young man who loved God and loved us. He died on mission for God. His race was too short.

All of our airline connections to and from Africa worked this year. Not all of the air conditioning units in the planes worked. We will schedule an evening to tell our stories to you and in the meantime, I will attempt to not tell them all in preaching. I look forward to hearing the stories of the Mission Team to Europe.

Ken Jewett is an ordained Wesleyan minister whose credentials will be transferred to the Church of the Nazarene this Thursday evening, July 8, 2010, in Memphis during the ordination service of District Assembly. Ken and Robin have lived their entire lives as members of the Wesleyan Church. This week, they become Nazarenes. Welcome. You make us better. I hope we make you better.

Ronnie Thompson was ordained an elder in the Church of the Nazarene on the North Arkansas District on Thursday, June 17, 2010. Congratulations to Ronnie. Ronnie served through most of his ministerial life at HCN. He is the husband of Jenni McMillan Thompson; the son of Ron and Delores Thompson; the son-in-law of Herb and Miriam McMillan. He is the wild and crazy daddy of Ben and Shelby.

Middle School Students participated in Mission Week last week in-town. The group worked one day at church, one day at the Siloma Medical Clinic, one day in downtown Nashville. Some of the students were Annie Cater, Kristin Paddon, Chandler Scott, Kailey Perkins, Holly Baughman, Marileigh Mabry, Jacob Paddon, Jared Mannen, Caleb Foster, Abby Elkins, Ashley Wallace, Hannah Jackson, Nathanael Jackson, Nikki Graves, Eddie Mahoney, Ryan Mahoney, Josh Elkins, Rachel Thimell, Clay Cochran, Keely Dozier, Olivia Garrett, Bryson Fox, Josh Pilarski, Isabella Green, Haylee Gold, JD Hall.

Some of the chaperones were Jake Resor, Daniel Smith, Ken Jewett, Treila Garrett, Diane Cater.

I will attend the District Conventions and Assembly in Memphis this week as a representative of our church. I hope to be home and back on a regular schedule next week. I miss regular schedules. I hope you are well and safe and vacationing and renewing and getting ready for new seasons in your life.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

June 7, 2010

Congratulations to Christopher Lewis and Jennifer Carter who were united in marriage on Saturday, June 5, 2010, at 6:00 PM in the Hermitage Church Sanctuary. I led Chris and Jenny in premarital counseling and presided over their ceremony. Chris is the son of Lisa Anderson, the grandson of Dot Waffird. Members of his wedding party included brother, Nick; long-time friend, Cory Rice; cousins: Kenny McNeese, Trey McNeese, Madi McNeese, Tyler Koon, and Emilee Koon. We pray for a long and loving marriage.

Our love and prayers are extended to Judy and Clint Riggan and Eddie and Lisa Kirkus in death of their son, Brandon Lee Kirkus Dunlap, on Wednesday, June 2, 2010. Brandon was thirty years of age. He suffered from addiction and depression. His death causes those of us who knew him to consider how we might reach others who suffer in the same way.

Congratulations to Logan Dalton who signed an NJCAA National Letter of Intent and scholarship papers to play baseball with Vol State Community College in the next academic year. Logan played as the Mt. Juliet High School everyday right fielder in the 2010 season. The team record was 35-7. He contributed 60 RBIs in the last two years. Logan is the son of Steve and Lori Dalton and the brother of Chase Dalton, who plays baseball at Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky.

Vacation Bible School opened at 9:00 AM this morning with 213 children in attendance. An army of workers descended on the place after second service on Sunday and turned the entire facility into one of the most beautiful places on earth. Color, color everywhere. I know that Pastor Carol Waller is an amazing leader of children’s ministries but the significantly talented team of volunteers who assist her are also amazing. There are families who moved away years ago and live in other states who are moved down for the week for their children to attend VBS at HCN. May the imprint of God’s Word and Spirit be stamped on the hearts and minds of these kids as they sing and dance and study and play and eat and live in community for a week with their friends. They expect many more tomorrow.

The 2010-2011 Church Board met on Sunday for their first monthly session and elected Matthew Mullins as Secretary of the Church Board and Scott Steinmetz as Treasurer of the Church. Newly elected members who attended were Jerry Keener, Wendell Marlowe, Teresa Vines, Jeff Cater, Beverly Mitchell, and Carolyn Washing.

I received this email today and print it here believing the person who wrote it would not object as it brings praise to God. “In your letter last week, you stressed the financial needs of the church. With the $44,000 listed as the amount needed, we were really skeptical that the needs could be met. There are so many financial needs within the church body that we just didn‟t think it could be accomplished. As soon as I saw the financial report in the bulletin yesterday, I sent my husband a text and told him the good news (he had to work). His response was simple—we should never doubt the Almighty!! This may seem like a small thing in a world full of problems, but for me, it was a sign that He will provide what we need. With all the things happening in our lives, I need these „small‟ reminders that he hears our prayers. I am still amazed at God‟s hand in our lives. Thanks for being faithful and doing what God would have you to do. Asking for a specific amount of money shows your trust and faithfulness in a living God.”

Anna and I leave with our sixteen MissionAfrica’10 Teammates on Thursday of this week. We begin the flights which will carry us across the world to Nairobi, Kenya. A bus will carry us four hours into the Kali village where we will re-unite with the people we came to love two years ago. We will assist in additional construction in an AIDS orphanage. We will visit in four large public schools and teach the gospel. We will visit and work with the people in the community. We will preach in three to four different churches on Sunday. At the end of the weeks, we will spend three days in the Serengeti, chaperoned by members of the Masai tribe on morning and evening jeep excursions into the park. We are taking lots of gifts from you: homemade quilts, Bible story books, baby dolls, cross necklaces, crayons. When people have little, something is everything. Please pray for our safety and health and for effectiveness in mission and ministry. We will pray for you. Preachers for the next three Sundays are HCN pastoral staff members: Ken Jewett, Rondy Smith, and Carol Waller. I will listen to them when I return via our website.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard