December 20, 2011
Dear Family and Friends of Hermitage Church of the Nazarene,
Congratulations to John and Josie Boyter on the birth of their daughter, Pearl Annalise Boyter, on Friday, December 16, 2011, at 8:33 AM in Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. She weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces and measured 21 inches in length. We rejoice at the blessing of a healthy baby and a safe birth. We give thanks to the Lord for this trust to John and Josie.
Congratulations to Kelly Christian Van Atta and Greg Casebier on their marriage at the Belmont Mansion on Saturday, December 17, 2011, at 6:00 PM. K.C. is a student at Asbury Theological Seminary and the Assistant Basketball Coach of the Women's Team at Mid-Continent University in Mayville, Kentucky.
Congratulations to Lindsay Washing on her graduation from Middle Tennessee State University on Saturday, December 17, 2011, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Lindsay earned a BS in Interior Design.
Congratulations to Shane Wells. Shane is a homeschooled 8th grade trombone player who plays with the Nashville Notes, a homeschool band. Band members from middle Tennessee audition for chairs in the Mid-State Band. Three bands are available on the Middle School Level: gold, silver, and a 7th/8th grade band. Shane competed against 114 trombonists and earned 1st chair in the Silver Band. His position allows him to compete for a chair in the All-State Band as well.
Thanks to the talented, gifted musicians who provided an evening of joy and entertainment on Sunday, December 18, 2011, at 6:00 PM in The Center. Vocalists sang Christmas songs. Instrumentalists played keyboards, drums, guitars, and saxophones. Children danced around the hall. Singers include Jamie Slocum, Christi Fite, Anna-Laura Green, Keli Green, Beth Fox, Suzanne Karr-Herring, and the Children's Choir. Instrumentalists included Graham Scott, Dave Flint, Andy McCormick, Donny Jackson, Michael Waller, and Patrick Lake. The Senior High Men set up tables and chairs and Lisa Anderson directed the set-up and clean-up. You brought the soup and salads and desserts and drinks. It was the last of the Advent fellowships. I know it pushes all of us to prepare food for ourselves and others but it is worth the shared experience.
Christmas is on a Sunday in 2011. It is THIS Sunday. After everybody posts on facebook about keeping Christ in Christmas, I am wondering how many of those people plan to be in church on Christ's birthday. I am amused at the number of people who are surprised when they learn that there will actually be a worship service at church on Christmas Day. "Really," they say. "Church on Christmas?" Yes, imagine that. Worship on the birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ. At HCN, there is one service planned for 10:00 AM in The Center. There will be Christmas hymns, special music, preaching, communion, and candle lighting. We work really hard for that service to be all-family appropriate. I hope you plan to come and bring your families with you.
If it matters to you, the Genesis Sunday School Class hosts ten homeless men from Room-in-the-Inn this Christmas Eve Saturday Night at HCN. Speaking of appropriate.
For those of you who are traveling out-of-town, be safe and have a great Christmas time. For those of you who remain in-town, see you Sunday morning. I love you all.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
December 20, 2011
Dear Family and Friends of Hermitage Church of the Nazarene,
Congratulations to John and Josie Boyter on the birth of their daughter, Pearl Annalise Boyter, on Friday, December 16, 2011, at 8:33 AM in Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. She weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces and measured 21 inches in length. We rejoice at the blessing of a healthy baby and a safe birth. We give thanks to the Lord for this trust to John and Josie.
Congratulations to Kelly Christian Van Atta and Greg Casebier on their marriage at the Belmont Mansion on Saturday, December 17, 2011, at 6:00 PM. K.C. is a student at Asbury Theological Seminary and the Assistant Basketball Coach of the Women's Team at Mid-Continent University in Mayville, Kentucky.
Congratulations to Lindsay Washing on her graduation from Middle Tennessee State University on Saturday, December 17, 2011, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Lindsay earned a BS in Interior Design.
Congratulations to Shane Wells. Shane is a homeschooled 8th grade trombone player who plays with the Nashville Notes, a homeschool band. Band members from middle Tennessee audition for chairs in the Mid-State Band. Three bands are available on the Middle School Level: gold, silver, and a 7th/8th grade band. Shane competed against 114 trombonists and earned 1st chair in the Silver Band. His position allows him to compete for a chair in the All-State Band as well.
Thanks to the talented, gifted musicians who provided an evening of joy and entertainment on Sunday, December 18, 2011, at 6:00 PM in The Center. Vocalists sang Christmas songs. Instrumentalists played keyboards, drums, guitars, and saxophones. Children danced around the hall. Singers include Jamie Slocum, Christi Fite, Anna-Laura Green, Keli Green, Beth Fox, Suzanne Karr-Herring, and the Children's Choir. Instrumentalists included Graham Scott, Dave Flint, Andy McCormick, Donny Jackson, Michael Waller, and Patrick Lake. The Senior High Men set up tables and chairs and Lisa Anderson directed the set-up and clean-up. You brought the soup and salads and desserts and drinks. It was the last of the Advent fellowships. I know it pushes all of us to prepare food for ourselves and others but it is worth the shared experience.
Christmas is on a Sunday in 2011. It is THIS Sunday. After everybody posts on facebook about keeping Christ in Christmas, I am wondering how many of those people plan to be in church on Christ's birthday. I am amused at the number of people who are surprised when they learn that there will actually be a worship service at church on Christmas Day. "Really," they say. "Church on Christmas?" Yes, imagine that. Worship on the birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ. At HCN, there is one service planned for 10:00 AM in The Center. There will be Christmas hymns, special music, preaching, communion, and candle lighting. We work really hard for that service to be all-family appropriate. I hope you plan to come and bring your families with you.
If it matters to you, the Genesis Sunday School Class hosts ten homeless men from Room-in-the-Inn this Christmas Eve Saturday Night at HCN. Speaking of appropriate.
For those of you who are traveling out-of-town, be safe and have a great Christmas time. For those of you who remain in-town, see you Sunday morning. I love you all.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
Dear Family and Friends of Hermitage Church of the Nazarene,
The HCN Worship Choir and Band presented "The Gift of Christmas" under the direction of Dr. Sam Green on Sunday, December 11, 2011, in the 10:15 AM service in the Center. Forty-two choir members included Renita Amity, Lisa Anderson, Jo Apple, Dalene Barnett, Dean Beach, Melody Beach, Jared Bouton, Dorinda Biggs, Joy Bradley, Joyce Clevenger, Deborah Coppedge, Kristi Dozier, Julie Foster, Beth Fox, Sophie Green, Keli Green, Marvin Heath, JoAnn Jackson, Marilyn Keener, Ken Koon, Art Kurtz, Sandra Kurtz, Carrie Lounsbury, Pam McNeese, Herb McMillan, Miriam McMillan, Lindsey Miller, Anna Plummer, Ruthann Ring, Amy Ruff, Beverly Sharpe, Kari Snyder, Ken Stegall, Tom Stephens, Jenni Thompson, Jim Trease, Jami Walker, Joe Walker, Deborah Walter, Misty Webb, and Betty Willis. Vocal contributors who were not in the choir were Sam Green, Bryce Fox, Kyle Peterman, Christi Fite, and Donny Jackson. Band members included Paul Bolling, David Flint, Rich Herring, Donny Jackson, Patrick Lake, Andy McCormick, Graham Scott, Mike Waller. Sound and video technicians included Graeme Brown, Philip Lutz, and Robert Sullivan. Children who joined Beth and Bryce Fox for the "Christmastime" song were Annie Cater, Selah Coppedge, Elizabeth Foster, Ethan Foster, Lydia Foster, Brenae Fox, Brielle Fox, Brooklyn Fox, Bryson Fox, Bella Green, Hannah Jackson, Tyler Koon, Ashlynn Lounsbury, Trey McNeese, Madison McNeese, Breelyn Ruff, Briley Ruff, Bethany Ruff, Ben Thompson, Shelby Thompson, and Ashley Wallace. Thank you for the time investment of memorizing music and lines so that we could worship the Christ child. A baby changes everything.
LiveWire (Middle School Students) Ministries presented "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" under the direction of Diane Cater in the 6:00 PM Service on Sunday, December 11, 2011, in the Center. Diane was assisted by Beth Rouse, Mya Fleming, Christine Helm. Jody Scott prepared the stage set assisted by Betty Willis, Kristin Jordan, Billy Swoner, Jeff Cater, Jeff Petroff, Aaron and Caleb Foster, and Jamie Slocum. The Amazing B1 Guys (Senior High Students) carried anything anywhere it needed to go just for the asking. Other load bearers were Kylee Koon, Pam McNeese, Brittany Smith, Kristi Mabry, Julie Foster, Dan Scott, and other "who's." Ken Stegall sang the great bass solo "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch." Robert Sullivan operated the sound and lights. Cast members included Michael Mathias, Bethany Ruff, Sarah Helm, Chandler Scott, Annie Cater, Bryce Poole, Rebecca Waller, Brielle Fox, Anna Waller, Grant Reigard, Shelby Thompson, Hannah Jackson, Madeleine Rouse, Shelby Jackson, Donnie Dillon, Lila Dillon, Ashlee Harrison, Marileigh Mabry, Lydia Foster, Emily Flint, Carly Earnhardt, Sara Waller, Mackenzie Eiseman, Julia Mowry, Isabella Agee, Ben Thompson, and Abby Elkins. I loved the story. I loved the acting. I loved the hairstyles.
Thanks to the Young Professionals Sunday School Class who did a sort of double duty last night. When they got to the Center to set up tables for our drama and fellowship, all of the chairs from the morning were still out. So, they broke down all of the worship chairs and then set up all of the tables and white chairs for the evening. Thanks to all of the people who brought pizza and pasta and desserts for the evening. The crowd was large and the food was plenty.
Thanks to Regan Perkins and Hutson Miles for lighting the Advent Candles in first and second service on Sunday, December 11, 2011. Thanks to Hunter Steinmetz and Sophie Green for assisting Sam Green with vocals during the first service on Sunday.
Pastor Carol Waller coordinated a Christmas Party on Saturday, December 10, 2011, through HCN Children's Ministries for children in three Wilson County Schools who would not receive a present at Christmas. She had games set up in the Center with Santa and personal gifts appropriate for each child. More than one person has told me it may be the best thing the church did this Christmas.
Congratulations to Anna-Laura Green for winning second place in the Trojan Idol Contest last week at Trevecca. She qualified for the finals and made it to the trophies.
Patrick Marlowe is a member of HCN who is currently housed in a federal prison in Indiana. Patrick sent the church a Christmas card that I have posted under the glass board outside the Center. He is the same age of and a friend of my son. It would mean a great deal to Patrick and to his family if you would send him a note and a Christmas card. His address is as follows:
Patrick Marlowe 16762-075
United States Penitentiary
Post Office Box 33
Terre Haute, IN 47808
Allow me to give us/remind us of some information regarding services at HCN for the next few weeks:
• Sunday, December 18, 2011...regular schedules in the morning with Sunday School and preaching...at 6:00 PM, special Christmas music with HCN vocalists Jamie Slocum, Beth Fox, Christi Fite, Suzanne Karr-Herring, Keli Green, Anna-Laura Green and some instru-mental music from the HCN Worship Band...food features soup, salads, and desserts
• Sunday, December 25, 2011...one service at 10:00 AM in The Center...this service includes the singing of Christmas hymns, preaching, communion and the lighting of candles from the Christ candle.
• Sunday, January 1, 2012...one service at 10:00 AM in The Center...this service includes worship music, preaching, communion.
I look forward to beginning Christmas Day and the New Year of 2012 with you.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard