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

December 14, 2010

The weather outside is frightful, frigid, dangerous, and I am not talking about ice and snow. I am talking about the cold. Rondy Smith tried to talk me into announcing something a little more definitive about what we would do in case of inclement weather on Sunday morning. I function on the principle that if you speak it, it will happen. Snow and ice and cold happened anyway. The canceled service on Sunday evening means we need to reschedule with our missionaries from Rwanda, Spencer and April Baggott. Several weeks ago, three HCN Adult Sunday School Classes received a collection of money to purchase Christmas gifts for the Baggott family. Kristi Mabry got sizes from April and purchased coats for all, some clothes, with cash remaining. When we did not meet on Sunday evening, the Mabry family delivered the coats and gifts to the Baggotts. Now they are warm. I hope you are safe and warm.

“The Night of Alleluias” produced a swell of Alleluias beyond Sunday, December 12, 2010. The Adult Worship Choir sang with Holy Spirit passion and power. The vocalists included Renita Amity, Lisa Anderson, Jo Apple, Dalene Barnett, Dean Beach, Melody Beach, Joy Bradley, Kristi Dozier, Julie Foster, Beth Fox, Bryce Fox, Keli Green, Marvin Heath, Gary Helm, Donny Jackson, JoAnn Jackson, John Jordan, Marilyn Keener, Melinda Knott, Ken Koon, Tiffany Mathias, Herb McMillan, Miriam McMillan, Pam McNeese, Anna Plummer, Beverly Sharpe, Bobby Smith, Ken Stegall, Tom Stephens, Emily Sullivan, Tammy Tarter, Jim Trease, Brenda Waffird, Carrie Wagner, Deborah Walter, Betty Willis. The Worship Band played with Holy Spirit gifts and grace. The musicians included Michael Waller, Donny Jackson, Randy Layne, Dave Flint, Jay Barfield, Graham Scott, Ricky Gore, Paul Bolling. Thanks to Tammy Tarter for rehearsing and directing the production. Thanks to Tim Green for writing and then narrating the story. Thanks to Brian Biggs and Robert Sullivan for directing the sound, lights, and word screens.

Sam Green attended the second service production at 10:30 AM and sat on the front row. The best news is that it must have inspired his blood. When Sam went to the clinic yesterday (Monday), all of his blood work was UP! It was a great surprise. His hemo-globin had taken a major bounce. I think we are good for the boy. Continue to pray for Sam’s complete healing. Speak an Alleluia for this good news.

Carol Waller asked me to plug the need for Upward Basketball Coaches. The current need is for 3 coaches. It is a one-hour commitment during the week for practices and one game each Saturday in January and February. What an opportunity to intersect the lives of children and to make a investment of time and energy.

Paul Stonecipher, HCN Coordinator of Room-in-the-Inn, asked me to thank the Faith Builders Sunday School Class for the great job they did in replenishing supplies and clothing for the men of Room-in-the-Inn. As the calendar falls this year, one of our hosting dates for Room-in-the-Inn is Christmas Day. The Genesis Sunday School Class asked for the privilege to serve.

This Sunday, December 19, 2010, is the fourth Sunday of Advent. The schedule is normal this Sunday, including Sunday School, with the exception of no third service this week. College students are out-of-town for Christmas break. Worship services meet at 9:00 AM in the sanctuary and at 10:00 AM in The Center. Teens lead worship this Sunday evening at 6:00 PM with pizza and pasta and desserts to follow their presentation. Bring either pizza or pasta dishes, desserts, and a large drink to feed our friends and ourselves. There are great deals at pizza places these days.

I hope you have the Christmas Eve Service at HCN on Friday, December 24, 2010, at 7:00 PM on your radar. It will not be boring. It is planned with lots of participation. You will be glad you came. It meets in the Sanctuary.

I look forward to worship with you this Sunday.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

December 6, 2010

Congratulations to Josh and Amber Alberts on the birth of their son, Zinn Michael Alberts, on Monday, December 6, 2010, at 10:53 AM at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. Zinn weighed 7 lbs and measured 20 inches. He is the brother of Kaylee and Abram and the grandson of David and Dawn Parker. We bless the Lord who has blessed Josh and Amber and entrusted this child to their care and nurture.

The Children of Hermitage Church of the Nazarene presented their annual Christmas program on Sunday, December 5, 2010, at 6:00 PM in The Center. Glory be to God that 104 full of wonder children helped to tell the story again of Jesus come to earth.

Preschool children rang bells and portrayed the nativity. Toddler 1 Bell Ringers were Lucia Greathouse, Emilee Koon, Austin Reigard, Caroline Walker, Cooper Jordan, Malcolm Mullins, Jake Stride, Leyton Plummer. PreK Handbell Ringers were Owen Agee, Ava Collins, Bryan Ermshar, Mercedes Greathouse, Kyler Kelley, Cole Petroff, and Seth Stride. The Nativity Scene Animals were portrayed by Mason Beach, Emmy Biggs, Tate Collins, Brandon Helm, Keegan Lutz, Bennett Segars, Nicholas York, Ellianna Gamble, Emma Petroff, Lucas Waller. The Nativity Scene Cast Members were portrayed by Harper Kate Miles, Carson Slocum, Caeden Bolling, Tyler Koon, Megan Ermshar, Kennedy Plummer.

“The Next Noel” Children’s Musical was sung by Isabella Stinson, Annalee Poole, Parker Hollandsworth, Briley Ruff, Rebecca Eiseman, Regan Perkins, Katelyn Brown, Daniel Webb, Breelyn Ruff, Michael Spraker, Will Stride, Sydney Webb, Konner Russell, Matthew Baughman, Elizabeth Sweeten, Alyssa Mannen, Morgan Evans, Selah Coppedge, Mia Agee, Ashlynn Lounsbury, Victoria Hood, David Paddon, Jacob Brown, Tristan Lee, Katie Grace Russell, Evan Gamble, Jack Gold, Sarah Helm, Hutson Miles, Afton Segars, Hannah Holderby, William Dillon, Elizabeth Stinson, Stephen Swoner, Madison McNeese, Alexi Baltz, Abigail Reigard, Madison Slocum, Dakota Biggs, Brenae Fox, Christian Rios, Elizabeth Foster, Ava Davis, Gant Brasfield, Brandon Vines, Miranda Spraker, Erica Render, Caroline Brasfield, Emma Vermilye, Gabriella Rouse, Brooke Bradley, Bethany Webb, Eva Harris, Ethan Foster, Camille Reigard, Ian Rouse, Gracie Parman, Eli Gamble, Maxwell Mullins, Preston Davis, Brooklyn Fox, Alex Sullivan, Donnie Dillon, Mary Dillon. Musical Cast Members were Isabella Agee, Olivia Vermilye, Landon Collins, Jackson Barfield, Daniel Silvernail, Holly Barfield, Reid Swoner, Becca Waller, Trey McNeese.

Leaders who assisted the program were:

• Amy Slocum: teaching parts and songs to preschoolers
• Jessica Agee: training bell ringers
• Angel Greathouse: directing the elementary drama
• April Swoner and Tammy Jones: leading the elementary choir
• Brian Biggs and Robert Sullivan for operating sound and lights
• Kristin Jordan and Jillian Forcum for filling in all the gaps
• Sam Eiseman, Jeff Cater, John Mannen, and Jamie Slocum for setting curtains
• Jody Scott: providing staging
• Pastor Carol Waller, general director

Thank you to every parent who practiced songs and lines with their children and transported them to and from rehearsals. Thank you to every adult who invested time and talent with the children to enable their presentation. Thank you to every adult who used technical skills to make the production happen. Thank you to every child who gave their voice and heart and hands to tell the story of Jesus. Thank you to the Genesis Sunday School Class for providing set-up and clean-up for the food lines after the service. Thank you to every person/family for providing food and drink to share.

Thank you to Ken Stegall for directing the Worship Choir and congregational singing in first worship on Sunday. Tammy Tarter took a one Sunday break as she fills the gap for Sam Green. Thank you to Jeremy Michael for leading congregational singing in third worship to help us with selection variety.

Spencer and April Baggott are missionaries in the Church of the Nazarene and members of Hermitage Church of the Nazarene. They are stationed in Kigali, Rwanda. For Christmas this year, the Baggotts are allowed to visit their family in the USA with their three children including a new baby. They arrive on December 9. I wrote Spencer and April and invited them to come and visit with us on Sunday, December 12, 2010, in the 6:00 PM service. They accepted my invitation. Our fellowship for the evening includes Soup and Salad and Dessert. We will fix our bowls and plates first; seat ourselves at tables; and listen to stories from Africa. Families with last names beginning with A-L are asked to bring salads, desserts, and large drinks. Families with last names beginning with M-Z are asked to bring soup, desserts, and large drinks.

The HCN Adult Choir and Center Band present “A Night of Alleluias” this Sunday, December 12, 2010, at 9:00 and 10:30 AM. Please notice this represents a time change for the second service. The Early Christian Sunday School Class will meet at 8:00 AM but no other Sunday School Classes will meet this Sunday. Both services will meet in The Center. Dr. Tim Green, brother to our Sam Green, wrote the narration for this musical and will serve as narrator at HCN on Sunday. You will minimally like this music. You might love it. Invite your unchurched friends and family to attend with you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

November 29, 2010

The New Life Sunday School Class hosted our Room-in-the-Inn friends on Saturday night, November 27, 2010. Ten homeless men were transported from downtown Nashville to the HCN campus for a safe, dry place to sleep and hot food to eat. Hot showers and a place to wash clothes were available to all the men. Wayne McNeese drove the van which brought the men to church and returned them to the city. Stephanie, Eli, and Evan Gamble and Keith, Stephanie, Chelsea, and Cristian Rhodes set the facility up for use. Supper, breakfast, and sack lunches for Sunday were provided by Glenda Perkins, Charlotte Rose, Kendell and Tammy Poole, Lance and Patty Waller, Tony Dozier, Mike and Darlene Miranne, Alan and Angie, Josh and Abby Elkins, Howard and Barbara Barrett, Scott Moore, Rusty Waffird, Judy Fite. Ray Render and Jody Sweeten stayed overnight to chaperone the group. Paul Stonecipher served as coordinator for the event. One of the men wrote a poem about his experience and left it for you. It is posted on the Center glassboard. Thanks to the New Life Class for representing all of us.

I hope you were present in worship yesterday. Sophie Zander, Eddie Witkowski, Dennis Scholl, and Marvin Maphet opened up their hearts and told us moving pieces of their life stories. Sophie is an exchange student from Germany who lives with Jerry, Lori, and Ashley Wallace. Eddie is a recent pastoral ministries graduate from Trevecca and a summer missionary to Thailand. Dennis is a husband, dad, engineer, and general contractor who faced a serious health crisis five years ago. Marvin Maphet is the single parent of five kids who survived the sudden death of his middle child last June. Each person told us of his or her walk and talk with God. Each person expressed his or her thanksgiving for the way God has guided or healed or sustained. Thank you for investing in your preparation and living so transparently before us for the morning.

Communion closed both services for the morning. How appropriate to end at the table of the Lord. First service worshippers sang The Doxology. Second service worshippers sang “He Loves Us.” Dot Waffird told me her favorite time came when the Senior High Students began to stand spontaneously while we sang. Billie Ragland prepared the elements for first and second service with no idea the second worship would need extras. Pastor Ken Jewett recruited Marla Houser, Treila Garrett, and Jake Resor to help him and extra trays were prepared. Thank you. Thank you for being aware.

One more story you would like to know. The elementary children and middle school students joined second worship on Sunday. When open altars were announced for prayer and the Senior High Students sent their army to pray, a young boy joined them in moving forward. When he got to the altar, Pastor Shane Tarter reached out his arm and took him in to the fold. Shane had no idea who he was. Pastor Carol Waller watched the whole thing happen. The young boy is a quiet, shy child of parents who were serving in another area of the facility. Something moved him. Someone moved him. What a morning.

Soup and Salad and Desserts began our 6:00 PM service. Three and one-half year old Tyler Koon had asked me after the Thanksgiving Dinner blessing why I did not say the “God, our Father” blessing. I asked him if would be willing to ask the blessing at our next meeting and he said he would. So, on Sunday evening, Tyler Koon sang the “God, our Father” blessing loudly and straight into the microphone. Thanks, Tyler. Thanks to Betty Willis for providing organization and leadership to the Advent decorating. Thanks to the Senior High Students for climbing into attics and carrying decorations wherever they needed to go. Thanks to the Breadbreaker Sunday School Class for setting up and breaking down after the social on Sunday. Thanks to Tim Garrett for leading.

Dr. Donny Jackson and JoAnn, Cassidy Nelson and Jon, joined eight other couples on November 19-20, 2010, for a weekend at HCN investing in their marriages. Donny reports it was the best retreat yet but believes a great deal more needs to be done to proactively support healthy marriage relationships. I know the schedules of most of the couples and it is impressive that they created the space and time to attend.

LiveWire Students (middle school) will deliver your Christmas cards (within the church), for a greatly reduced fee than the post office. The cost is 25 cents per card. All proceeds go to offset the cost of the Winter Get Away. Christmas cards are also available that were designed exclusively by LiveWire students. Deliver your cards to the Welcome Desks through December 19, 2010.

For the last few years, many of you have asked how you could help a family who has legitimate needs at Christmas. The pastoral staff has asked that you purchase gift cards that we in turn can distribute to families within the church who are struggling to meet food needs and gifts for children. While you can purchase cards anywhere you would like, cards to grocery stores (Kroger, Publix, etc.) or to Walmart are easiest to use. I can tell you that the cards have fed single parents and babies and provided Christmas gifts to children when there were none to give. If you want, you can drop the cards in the offering plates on Sunday morning and the counting teams will get them to the pastoral staff for distribution. Pastor Rondy Smith sent me an email today telling me that our food pantry is low again due to the number of people who are coming to the church weekly for food. Would you shop for dry staples and leave them in bins in the Center Lobby for the next few Sundays? All of us want to help people who have genuine needs. This is one way to help.

I look forward to Sunday.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

November 22, 2010

The season for Room-in-the-Inn has begun. The Breadbreakers and Young Profes-sionals Sunday School Classes hosted the first group of homeless men on Saturday evening, November 13, 2010. The men were transported to and from downtown Nashville; served a hot evening meal; given a dry, safe place to sleep; offered a hot shower; offered an opportunity to wash clothes; served breakfast on Sunday morning and provided a sack lunch to go. Paul and Pam Stonecipher coordinate the program for HCN. Pam wrote me a personal note saying everything was done well, representing a wonderful kick-off to the fall/winter months.

The All Church Thanksgiving Dinner was served at 5:00 PM on Sunday, November 21, 2010, thanks to all of you who brought vegetables, salads, and desserts, and the turkey, ham, and dressing bakers. Thanks to Joyce Clevenger, Alexandra Whitehead, Bill Lowe, Pam McNeese, Marilyn Jordan, Gay Elkins, Amber Beach, Glen Detwiler, and Beth Rouse for the turkeys and to Kristi Mabry, Donna Wood, Ruth Ann Terrell, Joy Bradley, Tiffany Mathias, Lisa Anderson, Shelly Flint, Barbara Parrish, and Betty Willis for the hams. Thanks to the Early Christian Sunday School Class for providing set-up and clean up for the event. They made the meal easy for the rest of us. I stayed away from the dessert table and ate seconds from all the dishes I ate from the first time. Every morsel of food I put on my plate was delicious. Someone made a cranberry salad that I could eat for dessert.

A tradition began four years ago at HCN for the Sunday after Thanksgiving. It is the telling of significant life stories from members of the congregation. We always go away wishing we did it more often and wishing more had heard. This year includes a senior high woman, a young adult student, and two mature dads: Sophie Zander, Eddie Witkowski, Dennis Scholl, and Marvin Maphet. There will be two services for the morning: 9:00 AM in the Sanctuary and 10:00 AM in the Center. Like the first Sunday of November, we are asking third service people to worship at 10:00 AM and then flip to Sunday School at 11:30 AM. Please pay attention and plan to be present.

Advent begins Sunday, November 28, 2010, in the 6:00 PM service in the Center. Families with last names beginning with letters A-L are asked to bring a pot of soup and dessert. Families with last names beginning with letters M-Z are asked to bring a salad and a dessert. Water and tea will be provided. We will be served and seated first. The light for the first Advent candle will be brought to the wreaths. Christmas stories will be read. Banners and wreaths will be hung. Nativity scenes will be set. Christmas trees will be decorated.

When Sam Green was not able to continue practicing the Christmas music he planned for this year’s choir, Tammy Tarter and I decided to look again at the music/narration previously presented in “A Night of Alleluias.” The Adult Choir responded favorably and the concerts are now set for Sunday, December 12, 2010, at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM. Dr. Tim Green, who wrote the narration for the music, will return as narrator. Tim is Sam’s brother.

Thanksgiving Day arrives this week. I am most grateful for relationships. I am grateful for my family. I am grateful that my daughter is getting married and planning her wedding. Like every other grandparent, I find my grandchildren to be a special delight. I am grateful for my friends. I have spent my entire life in church so the great percentage of my friends are from church. I am thankful that for every person who was mean to me, there were ten who were kind to me. I am thankful that friends can disagree agreeably. Several weeks ago, a friend of mine disagreed with something I said while teaching Sunday School. Imagine that. When Sunday School was over, he waited on me to make sure that he and I were okay. I saw him waiting. I knew what he wanted. We said words but we didn’t need to. Another man in the class wrote me an email saying he had watched and listened to the disagreement. He said he had stayed out of church for years because of all the fussing and fighting. He said he was proud of the way things were handled that morning. I have decided that somebody can say or do almost anything if you know they love you. And we know who loves us, don’t we? I am grateful for the young people at HCN who inspire me. I am so proud of them. I consider the Senior High Students to be one of the finest groups of people I have ever known. I believe God has something considerable to do in and through them. I am grateful for a church board full of intelligent, spiritual, competent leaders who give of their time and combined wisdom. I am grateful for a pastoral staff team of gifted and graced sisters and brothers. One of the brothers is stricken but healing right now. I miss him. I am grateful for the people who step up and pour themselves out so that ministry and mission continue forward while he is absent. I am thankful for people who understand giving. Church doors are open and facilities are available because some people believe that God cares about what you share. I serve full-time in ministry because people give. I am grateful. I am grateful that at fifty-eight years of age, my vision for ministry is wide and not narrow. I know my next-door neighbors and love them. One of them raked the leaves in my yard last Saturday. I know twenty-six little orphan girls in Kenya and love them. I am grateful that God is great and fresh to me. My favorite song to sing in second and third service contains these words: ‘O great and mighty One, with one desire we come, that you might reign, that you would reign in us.” I sing those words. I pray those words. I am grateful for you. When I count my blessings, I count you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard