April 26, 2010

Trevecca Nazarene University’s Gospel Choir visited HCN in second service yester-day, bringing their jazz band and three music professors. I liked the humility of telling us the choir is a one semester venture with all non-auditioned vocalists. I like people who like to sing. Graham Scott was the one HCN representative but as far as I could tell, the most superlative.

Saturday, April 24, 2010, was the date of the Country Music Marathon and Half-Marathon in Nashville and the weather changed some things for some runners in our congregation. I need a list of those who ran. Would you send me a note on email or facebook? I know that Tammy Poole ran the Half-Marathon and I know that Sarah Paddon was diverted to the 20.4 mile or 22.2 mile race. Congratulations on this great venture and accomplishment.

Fresh fruit, raisins, drinks from the marathon were distributed after worship services on Sunday, abandoned left-overs from the race. Ken Elkins called Glen Detwiler and they took a trailer downtown to rescue the goods and get them distributed. Thanks to Ken and Glen.

Congratulations to Lauren Lavery and to her mother, Major Lawana Nelson, on Lauren’s official swearing-in ceremony into the Air National Guard on Tuesday, April 20, 2010. Lawana serves as Director of Personnel at the 118^th Airlift Wing. Lauren is completing her freshman year at TNU, majoring in elementary education. See the related article on the glassboard outside The Center.

Carl Davis begins a new job in Boston on Monday, May 3, 2010. Janeene, Clarissa, and Mahaliah remain with us to close the school year and to sell their house. Although both Carl and Janeene are from the Jamestown part of the state, they have lived in this community and have been a part of HCN for close to fifteen years. They are family. We pray for Carl’s new employment and for this significant relocation for all four. They are loved and will be missed.

Pastoral Staff expressed appreciation to Joy Bradley, Jody Scott, Billie Ragland, Betty Willis, and Lanora Cass on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, for Administrative Professionals Day. Joy and Jody serve in the support offices of the staff suite in morning hours. Billie Ragland and Betty Willis serve in the offices for afternoon hours. Lanora Cass serves as a volunteer assistant on Tuesday mornings who helps to get this newsletter into your home and hands. Their gifts were small in comparison to the appreciation we all feel for the work they do on our behalf.

Whenever pastoral staff talks about the significant pieces which make HCN a unique community, we often begin with how pastoral community members are to one another. I recognize that sometimes people fall through the cracks, but not often. This Sunday, May 2, 2010, there are several pastoral moments included in our worship. A video will begin the service to recognize our babies who are zero to twenty-four months. Michael and Carol Waller have staged the video clips and Michael is now sequestered for the rest of the week so that he can edit. At pastoral prayer time, we will recognize the college/university graduates for 2010 and present them with gifts. If you or a member of your family attends HCN and graduates this year as an undergraduate or graduate student, please notify the church office at 847-3335. Sunday, May 9, 2010, is Mother’s Day and HCN will recognize all women who are eighteen years of age or older, with and without children. There is always a floral gift but mostly a lot of love and appreciation. Sam Green returns to both services after a week with a stomach bug (unrelated to his recent treatment) and I preach and first and second services for both Sundays. I hope to see you and to be with you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

April 19, 2010

Welcome to the newest members of HCN: Amber Beach, Bill and Mya Fleming, Jill Forcum, Bill and Dean Jackson, Jonathan and Sarah Paddon, Dennis and Scottie Scholl.

They were born in Tennessee, New York, Kentucky, and Indiana. They were nurtured as Southern Baptists, Presbyterians, Catholics, and Nazarenes. For this portion of their spiritual journey, they have settled into the life of Christ at HCN and desire to be a member of the community. We are glad. As members of the body of Christ, they change us and make us better. We make them better. We pray that our association will lead us to love God wholly and to love each other.

Congratulations to Ben Mabry, Brian Brinkman, Anna-Laura Green, and Sophie Green who participated in TNT at TNU over the weekend. TNT is an annual event where Nazarene youth from across the southeastern USA compete in art, sports, speech, Bible quizzing, etc. Individuals have already competed at a district level and taken first place. Ben, Brian, Anna-Laura, and Sophie won first place in ultimate Frisbee. Ben and Brian were members of the second place beach volleyball team. Brian was chosen a member of the beach volleyball all-star team and awarded the individual sportsmanship award. Brian also placed first in the senior high men’s tennis. Youth group members joined them in the opening ceremonies at an Opryland Ballroom on Thursday evening.

Last week, I told you about Will Miranne’s feature in “Singin’ In The Rain” on Friday and Saturday, April 23 and 24, 2010, at DCA. I also told you that Will is a genuine star. The Tennessean agreed with me and in their Davidson AM feature page last week printed an article about DCA’s drama department that is all about Will. Read on the Center glassboard.

Kevin Terry played cello for the offertory in first service yesterday. Kevin is a Nazarene boy from Texas who is a freshman at Belmont University. He drives to HCN each Sunday and plays in the second service band. I asked Kevin to play in first service so we all could have the opportunity to enjoy his talent. He leaves for Russia in only a few months to minister in churches and orphanages there at the invitation of the Russian Gospel Music Association. If you would like to contribute to Kevin’s trip, send a check made out to Artists in Christian Testimony International, Box 1649, Brentwood, TN, 37027-1649. Kevin’s account is #357.

Sunday, May 2, 2010, is the day we want to recognize College/University Graduates for 2010 at HCN. If you are a 2010 graduate (either undergraduate or graduate), or you have a family member who attends HCN who is a 2010 graduate, please notify the church office by phone 847-3335 or by email so that we may prepare for your recognition in the service.

Before we received new members in second service on Sunday, we concluded the preaching service by re-singing the new song that Sam Green taught us and spending quiet, reflective time in our seats. I thought the message required a private time instead of a public response, yet I asked if God had spoken to you that you would speak to me, write me a note, send me an email, call me on the phone and tell me simply: “I swam to Jesus today.” The responses have made me weep. I have emails. I have notes. Men especially came straight to me and talked. Two of the messages were so moving I thought you needed to hear them. One wrote: “I swam to Jesus today and I will again tomorrow.” Another wrote: “I was drowning when I came to church today and I swam to Jesus.” We never know what is going on in the heads and hearts of those who come to worship but the wonderful, powerful Holy Spirit is always ahead of us, always at work, always speaking, always drawing us to Jesus. I am amazed at his discerning power. I am glad I am connected to him and to you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

April 12, 2010

Steve and Leisha Stride presented their son, Jake Saunders Stride, in dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, April 11, 2010, at 10:15 AM in The Center. Jake was joined at the altar by his brothers, Will and Seth, and his multiple uncles and aunts from the Crosstrainers Sunday School Class. Steve and Leisha’s families live in California and so their Tennessee classmates appointed themselves family. I like the concept. Jake was carried on his blessing journey by Pastor Carol Waller. We bless the Lord who has blessed Steve and Leisha with a child to love and to nurture in Christian faith.

Brady and Michelle Plummer presented their son, Leyton Tyler Plummer, in dedica-tion to the Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, April 11, 2010, at 10:15 AM in The Center. Leyton was joined at the altar by his sister, Kennedy; his grandparents, Keith and Marlene Arend, Howard and Anna Plummer; his aunt and uncle, Kelly Plummer and Roger King; his great-uncle and great aunt, Bobby and Rondy Smith. Leyton was carried on his blessing journey by his Pops. We bless the Lord who has blessed Brady and Michelle with a child to love to nurture in Christian faith.

Following a semester of small group instruction on life purity, close to one hundred middle school and senior high students joined their parents for a banquet on Friday, April 9, 2010, in The Center. They sat at formal tables decorated by Sandra Hunt, JoAnn Jackson, Jody Scott, Traci Haydel, Brian Brinkman, Hunter Steinmetz, Daniel Jones, and Christi Fite. They ate delicious food catered by Jill Satterlee and served by Barbara Parrish. They listened to scriptures read by Bethany Ruff, Anna-Laura Green, and Ben Mabry and sacred music led and sung by Dorinda Biggs. They entered into covenant with God, their parents, their community of faith. They were prayed over by Pastor Shane Tarter and Pastor Rondy Smith. They were photographed by Valerie Marsh. Pastor Ken Jewett did anything and everything to make the evening successful. Teachers for the semester were Bryce Fox, Beth Fox, Lauren Lavery, Jennifer Neely, Cassidy Nelson, Jake Resor, Ken Jewett, Jody Scott, Shane Tarter, Carol Waller, Carolyn Washing, and Eddie Witkowski. In the pages of eternity, this is an event that marks who we are and what we believe as a church. It is one of the difference-makers for this generation of youth.

Will Miranne is featured in DCA’s Fine Arts Department presentation of “Singin’ In The Rain” on Friday and Saturday, April 23 and 24, 2010, at 7:00 PM. Prices are $18 for reserved floor seating, $12 for general seating for adults, $8 for general seating for students. In case you don’t know, Will is a genuine star.

Congratulations to Cameron Wisdom, a fourth grade student at Dodson Elementary School, who was selected Student-of-the-Year by the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce. Cameron is the grandson of Barbara Thompson.

Taylor Haydel, freshman pitcher for Western Kentucky University, enjoyed his best outing of the season on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 in a 12-2 victory over Murray State. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. See the newspaper article with more on The Center glassboard.

The Spring 2010 Issue of The Treveccan contains articles on HCN members Gary Van Atta and Tanner Webb. Coach Van Atta was recognized for 400 wins as a coach in games at a four-year college. Tanner was recognized as a TNU student completing the Behavioral Science Research Methods Class which may lead to scholarly publication.

See the Treveccan article on The Center glassboard.

The Nashville Rescue Mission featured Pastor Ken Jewett and two HCN groups in their recent Heart of the Mission publication. Homeschooled, middle school students and the college students each were photographed serving lunch at the mission. See photos on the glassboard including Josh Cater, Caleb Foster, Bethany Ruff, Jonathan Mowry, Emily Paddon, Jacob Paddon, Kristin Paddon, Bryson Fox, Jameson Scappaticci, David Tigabu, and Hayley Hill.

The Church Board has set Sunday, May 16, 2010, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon for Annual Meeting Elections. Members of the church who are fifteen years of age and older vote to elect five new members to serve a three year rotation on the church board. They also elect delegates to the District Assembly and Missions Convention, Sunday School Superintendent, and Missionary President to serve for one year. Members who are twelve to forty years of age elect the NYI (Youth) President to serve for one year. Matthew Mullins serves as Secretary of the Church Board and is charged with conducting the election and the counting of ballots by an official board of tellers. The Nominating Task Force appointed to prepare a ballot for the elections includes Phil Jordan, Kendell Poole, Kristi Mabry, Jerry Keener, Rondy Smith.

Aaron Foster serves as chair of the Buildings, Grounds, and Equipment Council on the Church Board. Aaron has a list of projects which need sponsors around the church. The inside projects include wall painting, electrical ballast replacement, ceiling tile replacement, door painting touch-ups. The outside projects include cleaning around HVAC Units, flower bed weeding, cob web removal, window cleaning. The area size can be as small or as great as you would like to tackle. Call the church office at 847-3335 and leave a name and number with Jody or Joy. Aaron will contact you with an assignment.

If you are interested in joining the church, one last membership class should still be available this Saturday, April 17, 2010, at 9:00 AM in The Parlor (next to the kitchen). I teach the class and it should last 75 minutes or less.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

April 5, 2010

Congratulations to Scott and Amy Walvoord on the birth of their daughter, Katie Grace Walvoord, on Thursday, April 1, 2010, at 4:07 AM at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Katie weighed 7 lbs 7 ozs and measured 20 inches in length. She has lots of curly blond hair. We bless the Lord who has blessed the Walvoords with a child to love and to nurture in Christian faith.

We arrived at Easter Sunday on April 4, 2010, after forty days and nights of a Lenten journey, begun on Ash Wednesday. The mark of the cross led us through Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Easter morning. I left the Maundy Thursday service thinking of Simon Peter’s promise that he would never fail, never disown Jesus, with all the disciples saying the same. The world never changes.

I heard Jake Resor tell Sam Green that it was almost poetic that he was able to return to lead worship on Easter Sunday. I agree, Jake. Sam brought his energy and discern-ment to the morning and to the music. Paul Vann brought his voice and ability to climb inside of a song and make it personal. Dorinda Biggs brought her voice and ability to hit ethereal notes that float heavenward. Andy McCormick brought his saxophone and gift to play it and hit every soulful note perfectly. The choir made all of the congregational singing and specials better and celebrative. The band is so enormously talented that when I leave worship each week, I am sure I have no idea what feats were accomplished. That was most especially true for yesterday. The technical side of making every mic work and every video play and words to every song appear at just the right time belonged to Brian Biggs and Robert Sullivan.

Andy Elkins is the Metro officer posted on Saundersville Road who directed our entry and exit from the church parking lot on Sunday. What would we have done without Andy? His dad, Ken Elkins and Ken Willis, Glen Detwiler, and Jim Agee assisted the parking needs in transitions between services.

If you are new to Hermitage Church and would like to know more about the Church of the Nazarene or you are interested in membership, mark your calendar with one of the following dates. I will teach two classes on Monday, April 12, 2010, at 7:00 PM or Saturday, April 17, 2010, at 9:00 AM. You only need to attend one of the classes. Each will last one hour and fifteen minutes and each will meet in The Parlor (beside the kitchen). You need to provide your own childcare. New members will be received on Sunday, April 18, 2010, at the conclusion of each morning worship service.

Congratulations to all Duke fans on their victory dance. I took my bracket off office door this morning. I not only did not pick the winner. Only one of my selections played in the final eight.

I had a birthday last week. It fell on Thursday, my day off from a regular schedule. The shining sun made it dry and toasty. I finished picking up the million sticks and mowed my grass for the first time this season. I had stacked a burn pile over the winter that needed torching so I called for my burn permit number and then called the local fire department to give them my address. The permit was good for the day and it was a good thing. No matter how many matches I lit, the pile would not light. That normally would frustrate me but a still small voice kept telling me to leave it for later. I took a break for about three hours to help a member of my family and then returned to my yard. When I went back to the back of the property, I could tell something was different about the burn pile. It was much bigger. Someone had brought their wood and added it to my pile. I tried to think of which neighbor would do that but none of my neighbors were home. I was a little irritated. Something else was different about my yard but I could not discern what it was. Then it dawned on me that someone had cut a dead tree out of a natural area on my property. They had cut it, stacked the wood, picked up the trash limbs and fixed them in my burn pile. I remembered that Robert Parrish and Charles Jewell had asked me recently if I needed any trees cut. I had two matches left from the morning. It took one to set the pile ablaze. I tell you all of that to tell you that God and I had a significant, quiet conversation on my birthday. I am not a person who believes that God orchestrates every detail of my day. He allows me to make lots of choices about which he could care less. Normally, I would say that my match lighting was not a God thing. But on this day, I believe it was. God let me get still enough to hear him say to wait on the fire. He sent two good men to my yard to cut my tree and clean up the mess in a perfect time window. He forced me to wade through my judgmental spirit when I thought someone else had added to my burn pile. And when it was time to light the fire, it took one match. Not a word was spoken but God talked to my heart all day. I hung out with him in the yard.

I am looking forward to worship with you on the Sunday after Easter. First service gets to sing the Easter hymns you missed last Sunday with organ and piano.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

March 29, 2010

Congratulations to Jeff and Suzanne Butler on the birth of their daughter, Zoie Raye Butler, on Thursday, March 25, 2010, at 10:13 AM at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. Zoie weighed 5 lbs 11 ozs and measured 19 inches in length. She has lots of dark hair and a beautiful little face that Jeff says looks just like Suzanne. Zoie is the granddaughter of Harry and Donna Wood. We bless the Lord who has blessed the Butlers with a child to love and to serve him.

Men’s Ministry hosted Room-in-the-Inn on Saturday-Sunday, March 27-28, 2010, at HCN. Ten men without a home of their own were transported to and from downtown Nashville; fed a hot supper; given opportunity to shower and wash their clothes; provided a safe, dry, warm place to sleep; fed breakfast and given a sack lunch to go. The men were treated with respect in conversation and hospitality. Hosts and hostesses included Jon and Jacob Paddon, Herb McMillan, Joe Walker, Ken Elkins, David, Jonathan, and Drew Silvernail, Ronnie, Pam, and Brittany Crues, Alan, Angie, Josh, and Abby Elkins, Wayne McNeese, Jon Alderman, Trey and Hudson Miles, Derrick and Patrick Holderby, Jamie Slocum, Rob and Michael Mathias, Tim Garrett, Donna Shankle, Beth Rice, Becky Evans, Jerry Wallace, Julie Baggott, Mike Orrick, and Tony Dozier. This was the last night of hosting for this season.

HCN presented an encore of “One Voice” on Sunday, March 28, 2010, at 9:00 and 10:30 AM in The Center. Dr. Sam Green, our Pastor of Worship, suggested the option and it was not a hard sale to me. I love the narrative. I love the characters. I love the words of the music. Tammy Tarter rehearsed and directed the choir and Yori Taylor rehearsed and directed the drama. All major characters agreed to resume their roles and new heroes and heroines stepped up for casting. Choir members included Lisa Anderson, Jo Apple, Dorinda Biggs, Joy Bradley, Joyce Clevenger, Deborah Coppedge, Janeene Davis, Julie Foster, Beth Fox, Anna-Laura Green, Keli Green, Marvin Heath, Jennifer Humphries, JoAnn Jackson, Marilyn Keener, Sandra Kurtz, Becky Martin, Tiffany Mathias, Pam McNeese, Herb McMillan, Miriam McMillan, Ryan Means, Liz Plott, Anna Plummer, Amy Ruff, Ken Stegall, Tom Stephens, Emily Sullivan, Tammy Tarter, Carrie Wagner, Betty Willis. The cast of characters included Ed Gonyea (John the Baptist), Bryce Fox (Joseph of Arimathea), Jeff Cater (Jesus), Laura Hughes (Reumah, sister of Nicodemus), Herb McMillan (Nicodemus), Beth Fox (Leah, Joseph’s wife), Anna-Laura Green, Carrie Wagner, Stephan Scappaticci, Lamar Bradley, Ted Brown, Ken Stegall, Marvin Heath, Ryan Means, Liz Plott (Tamar), Joel Widmer, Miriam McMillan, Barry Whitehead. The cast of children included Bryson Fox, Brielle Fox, Brooklyn Fox, Tyler Koon, Trey McNeese, Madi McNeese, Lydia Foster, Ethan Foster, Elizabeth Foster, Bethany Ruff, Briley Ruff, Breelyn Ruff, Alex Sullivan, Annie Cater, and Marileigh Mabry. Brian Biggs and Robert Sullivan served as audio and lighting technicians. Daniel Smith, Preston Hunt, Daniel Jones, and Graham Scott served as lighting assistants. Sophie Green and Isabella Green served as stage hands. Glen Detwiler and Billy Swoner prepared the stage extensions. Beth Willis, Ken Willis, Larry Tarter, Tammy Tarter, Anna Plummer, Joy Bradley, and Brian Brinkman constructed the set design. Miriam McMillan located and prepared the costumes. Keli Green led the make-up team. Thank you to every person who memorized lines and movements, sang the music, or prepared any portion of the presentation. We are grateful for the story told.

The Easter Egg Hunt began at 5:00 PM for children from infancy through grade 4. There were thousands and thousands of eggs and not hard to find. A fine mist began when the children first went outside but not enough to keep the hunters inside. Thank you to every person who bought an egg, filled it with candy, and brought it to church for a child to find. You participated in a wonderful memory.

The Cooking Team, led by Wayne McNeese, had bought the hotdogs, hamburgers, rolls, and all the fixings and came to church much earlier than me to cook and slice. Thanks to grillers Kenny McNeese, Ken Koon, Trey Miles, Ronnie Marsh, Jon Nelson, Ricky McNeese, and Paul Stonecipher. Thanks to the kitchen crew for slicing, dicing, and layering: Lisa Anderson, Pam McNeese, Dianne McNeese, Pam Stonecipher, Kylee Koon. Thanks to the Early Christian Sunday School Class for setting-up, cleaning-up, and breaking down tables and chairs in The Center. Thanks to the Senior High Teens for handling the bulk of the break-down and storage. More than one person commented on how wonderful it was to sit for long spells and enjoy the conversation and fellowship of each other. I sat with the Kyle family and caught up on their lives and ministry desires.

This week is Holy Week. It began with Palm Sunday last Sunday, March 28, 2010, and continues through Easter Sunday, this Sunday, April 4, 2010. Please pay attention to the following opportunities for reflection and worship.

• From Tuesday through Saturday of this week, twelve stations set up in the Building One Worship Center invite us on a Journey to the Cross. It is an interactive, multi-sensory opportunity to reflect on the last week in the life of Jesus. Sign-up via email at jodyscott01@bellsouth.net or call the church office at 847-3335.
• A Maundy Thursday Service of Shadows meets in The Sanctuary on Thursday, April 1, 2010, at 6:30 PM. The service includes scripture readings, the extinguishing of candles, congregational singing, communion, and an exit into darkness.
• Easter Sunday Services meet at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM in The Center. The service is constructed to include sections on both the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Dr. Sam Green returns for the first time since his bone marrow transplant to lead congregational, instrumental, and choir music.

Pay attention to how and where you park so that everyone has a place. If you park on the grass, be careful. Soccer season has just begun and lots of care has gone into preparation of the field. Remember to invite your unchurched friends, neighbors, and relatives to the attend worship with you.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard

March 22, 2010

Congratulations to Patricia Ann Ragland and Paul Douglas Barger who were joined in marriage on Friday, March 19, 2010, at 4:00 PM in the Hermitage Church Sanctuary. I had the privilege to preside at the ceremony. Billie Ragland is Tricia’s mother and I asked Billie if I could write this in this letter. Tricia and Paul are both in their early forties and this is the first time either of them have been married. They waited for each other.

Paul and Glenda Bolling presented their son, Liam Finnten Bolling, in dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 21, 2010, at 10:15 AM in The Center. Liam was joined at the altar by his brother, Caeden; grandparents, cousins, and friends. He made the barefoot journey to the blessing song and enjoyed the tugs on his toes. We bless the Lord who has blessed the Bollings with a child to care for and to love for him.

Congratulation to Rachel Thimell who was selected the Student of the Year at Donelson Middle School. She will be recognized at a luncheon on April 8, 2010, at the Springhouse Golf Clubhouse. Rachel is the daughter of Joel Thimell.

Congratulations to Coach Gary Van Atta and to K.C. Van Atta on the successful completion of their 2009-2010 basketball season with Trevecca Nazarene University’s Lady Trojans. Trevecca advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NAIA Division 1 National Championships in an upset win over third seed William Woods. The season ended, however, in the second round with a loss to Campbellsville.

Did you see The Tennessean’s article on Lucy Cline posted outside the nursery and outside The Center? The article chronicles Lucy’s life in retirement from nursing. She serves as a docent at the Frist Center; takes art classes at UT, Watkins College of Art, and Vol State; translates Mandarin Chinese between doctors and patients at Vandy and a hospital in LA; plays at weekly music sessions at the Mt. Juliet Senior Center and leads ballroom dance classes. What a life! There are great photos accompanying the article.

The Genesis Sunday School Class hosted Room-in-the-Inn at HCN on Saturday-Sunday, March 13-14, 2010. Ten men without a home were welcomed to a hot, home-cooked supper; warm, dry beds; opportunities to shower and wash and dry clothes; a hot breakfast and lunch to go. Cooks, chaperones, and helpers were Ricky and Dianne McNeese, Wayne and Pam McNeese, Kylee and Ken Koon, Shelly Flint, Lisa Anderson, Melva Strickland, Beth Seaman, Becky Evans, Dot Waffird, Erika Mannen, Carol Clem, Paul and Pam Stonecipher, Jon Alderman, Marvin Heath, Rob Mathias, Bryce Poole, Rhonda Ward, Beth Rice, Mark and Carolyn Washing. Thank you for representing Jesus and his church.

The Early Christian Sunday School Class prepared the beans, potatoes, and cornbread for the Poverty Dinner on Sunday. Cooks were Charles and Nancy Jewell, Herb and Miriam McMillan, Tommy and Mary Ann Boner, Bill Manley, Angela Draper, Paul and Patty West, Ruthanne Terrell, Dot Waffird, Shirley Maschinski, Marilyn Jordan, Art and Sandra Kurtz, Ken and Betty Willis, Jerry and Marilyn Keener, Ken and Gay Elkins, Glen and Pat Detwiler, Harry and Donna Wood, Bob and Wanda Bishop, Chuck and Lucy Cline, Bill and Dean Jackson, John and Melinda Knott. Contributions given at the meal totaled $1,098. Monies given last week and this week in the regular offering totaled $190. All monies are divided equally between feeding the needy in our middle Tennessee community and feeding the hungry in Kali Market, Kenya, through World Servants. Thanks to Donna Wood for asking me after Sunday School if I needed help setting up and to all the people who responded to the spontaneous appeal to help.

Palmer Maphet is a freshman at Tennessee Tech University who has attended HCN since his junior year at Mt. Juliet High School. When he moved to Cookeville, he immediately connected himself to Christian service groups and worship in a local church. Palmer was selected to be a member of a travel team this summer to northern Maine where he will work with other college students in evangelistic work. He needs to raise $600 of support to help pay for airline tickets and other expenses. If you are led to support Palmer, make checks payable to BCM Missions (memo: Palmer Maphet) and mail to his home address of 1711 Country Haven Ct., Mt. Juliet, TN 37122-5029. This is a focused, committed young man who is worthy of our support.

The Easter Egg Bins are looking puny and Children’s Pastor Carol Waller told me in pastoral staff meeting this morning that it was time to beg for eggs. She even suggested I talk about children crying from disappointment if I needed to do so. As always, we need your help. Would you purchase plastic eggs and fill them with non-chocolate candy and donate them to the church for this Sunday’s (March 28, 2010) Easter Egg Hunt at 5:00 PM? Leave the eggs in the metal containers in The Center Lobby on Wednesday night or on Sunday morning and they will be hidden on the west lawn of the church for finding.

It is a little thing with large appreciation.

Also, the Cooking Team plans to grill hamburgers and hotdogs for our consumption following the hunt. The church provides meat, paper products, and condiments. We bring the salads, drinks, and desserts. Bring your lawn chairs and outdoor games and plan to spend the evening together.

Have you taken the risk to invite someone for the “One Voice” presentation this Sunday, March 28, 2010, at 9:00 or 10:30 AM in The Center? Remember that Sunday School Classes do not meet on Sunday to help with transitions in services. There will be parking assistants in the parking lots to help find spaces.

As I close this letter, I am thinking of a young couple in the community whose two-year-old daughter died during the night. Their pain and grief make everything else seem small. Life is fragile. Pray for broken hearts.

In Christ Jesus,

Howard Plummer

March 15, 2010

Victor and Jonna Taylor presented their daughter, Abigail Grace Taylor, in dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 14, 2010, at 10:15 AM in The Center. Abigail was joined at the altar by generations of grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Dorinda Biggs sang the dedication song, “In His Arms,” accompanied by the sensational band. Michael Waller wrote out a chart to the song and the band played it after one run-through. Abigail smiled her way through the blessing journey and tolerated her dedication prayer. We bless the Lord who has blessed the Taylors with a child to love for him.

When Ronnie Thompson left HCN to pastor in Arkansas, Ray Render volunteered to take on leadership for Upwards Sports Ministries at the church. For most churches, the job would have included one to two sports but at HCN it included basketball, soccer, and flag football. Ray has just completed basketball season and is getting ready to start soccer. Pastor Carol Waller came to staff meeting last week bragging on the exceptional organization she encountered at soccer registration for her child. I have expressed my appreciation to Ray for the quality of the program he runs and the time investment he and Sheri make. His response to me was that he needs more people to step up and take responsibility in different areas. He has one great need: a coach for the 3^rd/4^th grade soccer team. If you would be willing to serve in this role, call the church office at 847-3335. We will get the information to Ray. Could I emphasize that the need is immediate?

Children in Grades 1-4 have participated in a Compassionate Ministries Class on Sunday evenings at HCN. They made lap blankets and delivered them to residents of McKendree Village last evening. They also spent an hour in conversation with the residents. There are emails at the church this morning expressing appreciation to the kids with an invitation to return in the summer for cookies and lemonade. Photos are posted on the church website.

Roger King is a young man who has spent his entire life in the Hermitage community. He is a graduate of DCA who began attending HCN last year. He asked me recently if he could contribute to the life of the church with an introduction to Crossfit training. I asked him who would qualify and this is what he wrote: someone who wants to get in shape but can’t face going to a gym; someone who has lost interest in their gym routine; someone who thinks they do not have time to exercise; someone who wants to get faster and stronger in their sport; someone who is no longer seeing results from current training regime. Workouts are rarely more than 45 minutes. Classes at the church have no cost and would begin to meet on Thursday evenings in April at 6:00 PM. Call the church office at 847-3335 to register interest.

Sam Green may get to spend the remainder of his recovery time at home in Mt. Juliet effective this Friday, March 19, 2010. One of his primary blood work markers passed its goal this morning and the sores in his throat are improving. Good news.

Patrick Marlowe asked last week that we pray for his family to be able to visit him in Louisiana over the weekend. The federal facility which houses Patrick was nearing shutdown and he felt like he was running out of strength. Patrick’s dad, mom, and son were able to visit during all available visitation blocks. Pray that someone in a position of power might begin to advocate for Patrick.

Two large, significant Sundays are just ahead in the Christian calendar: Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Palm Sunday is the last Sunday in March: March 28, 2010. Easter Sunday is the first Sunday in April: April 4, 2010. Service schedules and locations for each day are the same at HCN. Identically planned services meet at 9:00 and 10:30 AM (notice this is fifteen minutes later for second service), in The Center. I recognize this schedule moves first service people out of their regular worship place (The Sanctuary), and I appreciate the willingness to be inconvenienced so that more people might gather to worship and hear the gospel. Worship on Palm Sunday is an encore presentation of “One Voice,” a drama/musical which focuses on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ as told by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. Herb McMillan, Bryce Fox, Beth Fox, and Laura Hughes return for the primary dramatic roles. Worship on Easter Sunday follows the familiar pattern of first recognizing the darkness of the crucifixion and then celebrating the brilliance of the resurrection. There will be instrumental and vocal music, preaching, and videos. We pray the power and presence of the Holy Spirit will help us to exalt Jesus. For some reason, people who do not regularly attend church are especially open to invitations to attend on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Some of those people work with you, live beside of you, go to school with you, are related to you. With a simple invite from you, some person or family might find a church home because you take the initiative. With a simple invite from you, some person or family might take a new direction in eternity because you take the initiative. I can think of a favorite family of mine who now lives in Arizona who began to attend church at HCN at Easter. They read the invitation on the church marquee. A family from HCN now lives in Des Moines, Iowa, and they visited last weekend. Their teenage sons wanted to come and be in church.

I still remember when their house burned and someone invited them to church. I know it takes a risk to invite someone. All possibilities require risks. Get on schedules now.

I continue to ask that you pray with me regarding the extra $100,000 of giving we need to do over March, April, and May. It is a community thing. Ask God how you might participate and then trust with me.

The first phone call I received this morning told me that someone’s mother had died unexpectedly in the night. I called to find the man headed with his older brother to give the heavy news to their younger brother. I have thought of and prayed for them today. I am fully aware that in the midst of all the schedules and the doing there are fragile events unfolding in our lives. Remember that God is with you. He is our strength in time of trouble. He is our strength in time of joy. Wherever we may be.

In Christ Jesus,

Pastor Howard