Dear Family and Friends of Hermitage Church of the Nazarene,
What an amazing, beautiful snow blew down on Sunday, February 19, 2012, during Sunday School and worship hours. I entered the facilities at 7:50 AM in a cold, driving rain under my umbrella. I never suspected snow would follow. Kudos to the people who braved the weather and made it to church and remained at church. Thanks to the traffic officer who stayed at his post and helped second service people to exit onto Saundersville Road.
LiveWire (middle school) Students arrive home today from a long weekend trip to Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. They went skiing on Saturday, visited a zoo on Sunday, and enjoyed multiple worship and spiritual growth sessions. Chaperones included Rob Mathias, Jake Pilarski, Ginger Pilarski, Christy Gold, Carol Waller, Michael Waller, Eddie Witkowski, Yana Witkowski, Michael Sweigard, and Jill Sweigard. Retreaters included Isabella Green, Madeline Scholl, Mackenzie Eiseman, Anna Waller, McClain Remus, Chelsea Rhodes, Becca Waller, Morgan Follis, Macey Fee, Erin Curry, Carly Earnhardt, Kailey Perkins, Haylee Gold, Ellie Hutchings, Mikayla Wurth, Annie Cater, Anna Stephens, Keely Dozier, Ashley Wallace, Abby Elkins, Sara Waller, Ashlee Harrison, Kristina Lynn, Madeleine Rouse, Taylor Shoemake, Taylor Connell, Brianna Post, Grant Render, Jordan Sweeten, Bryce Poole, Logan Evans, Michael Mathias, Mason Hall, Jakob Hall, Grant Reigard, Gideon Garcia, Teddy Joyce, Joel Jones, Evan Gibson, Gunnison Goodwin, Rocklan Parris, Josh Pilarski, Nick Groover, Austin Waller, JD Hall, Dalton Smith, and Dillon Smith.
District Bible Quizzing was held at Trevecca Community Church on Saturday, February 18, 2012. Congratulations to Briley Ruff and Breelyn Ruff for receiving Gold All-Stars; to Arianna Lake and Daniel Silvernail for receiving Gold Medals.
Our love and care are extended to Jim Harvey in the death of his mother, Corinne Harvey, on Saturday, February 18, 2012. Services are scheduled for Mrs. Harvey on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at 10:00 AM in Bowling Green, KY.
The New Horizon and College Sunday School Classes hosted ten homeless men from Room-in-the-Inn on Saturday, February 18, 2012. They arrived at the HCN campus by van. The groups provided a hot supper; dry, warm beds with clean sheets; towels, soap, and shampoo for showers; detergent for washing clothes. A television was available for those who wanted to watch a basketball game. Chaperones stayed through the night. A hot breakfast was ready on Sunday morning with sack lunches to carry out with them. If you remember the weather on Sunday morning, it was first a driving rain and then a cold, hard snow. That was the weather on the Nashville streets to which the men returned. We give thanks to the Lord for those who served others with compassion and kindness in the name of Jesus. They were Jo Apple, Bev Mitchell, Rick Person, Erna Sisco, Susan Pilgreen, Donna Shankle, Barbara Douthit, Taylor Steinmetz, Ken Jewett, and Dillon Jones. The Faith Builders Sunday School Class provided money for van gas and for tee shirts for the men.
I received a personal note this week from an official person at Trevecca that HCN has the largest number of students at Trevecca Nazarene University of all local churches in the Southeast, which has to be in the nation. She called it a significant accomplishment. I agree.
It certainly qualifies for some bragging rights.
Dr. Sam Green told me weeks ago that he wanted to sponsor a time on Saturdays during the season of Lent wherein people could come to the sanctuary for prayer. It would not be a formal service but would include a weekly scripture sheet for a guide. The meetings begin this Saturday, February 25, 2012, and conclude on Saturday, Marcy 31, 2012. You are invited to participate in any or all of the services.
Several role changes were approved by the Church Board in their regular monthly meeting on Sunday, February 19, 2012. The changes come so that each person operates within their strengths. Traci Haydel begins to focus her energies as Head Housekeeper and the coordination and supervision of the housekeeping team. Jody Scott remains in the front office but shares her time as Property Manager. Traci and Jody are accountable to me as the Senior Pastor but function in systems approved by the Building, Grounds, and Equipment Council on the Church Board. Also, the NextGen Policies and Procedures Manual was approved by the board. This directs the Nazarene Safe program within our local church. Wendell Marlowe asked a great question in the meeting. He wanted to know if I had read the manual. I had. I was glad.
Volunteer State Community College Head Baseball Coach is Mike Crossland, a thirteen year veteran of the VSCC coaching staff. In an interview with The Tennessean on January 31, 2012, Crossland identified Logan Dalton as “the hands-down best player last fall. He stepped into the leadoff spot and took charge of it. He has head and shoulders been the best player on this baseball team so far.” Logan plays centerfield and hit .355 in last year’s regular season.
The Season of Lent begins February 22, 2012, which is Ash Wednesday. A service for all adults, youth, and elementary children begins at 6:30 PM in the Sanctuary. The service includes music, the reading of scripture, prayer, and the marking of ashes. Lent measures forty days before Easter Sunday, excluding the six Sundays. Many Christians choose to deny themselves something of significance during this time in identification with the self-denial of Jesus. The self-denial may be a particular food or entertainment or personal ritual. A challenge is also given to do something positive for forty days. The HCN marquee offers advice this week to: Be Aware of the Endless Opportunities for Doing Good. Participating in self-denial and doing good during Lent helps us to arrive more thoughtful and appreciative than we otherwise would arrive on Easter Sunday. Many evangelical Christians have suspicions about self-denial during Lent. It seems awfully Catholic to us. I would remind us that self-denial is not Catholic, but biblical. I hope to see you on Wednesday night.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
Dear Family and Friends of Hermitage Church of the Nazarene,
I put gloves on today. Ken Jewett said it was the first time he had ever seen me with gloves. It is cold and has been for a week. Betty Willis put an atomic clock in my office last year and the clock says it is 62 degrees in my office. I may wear my gloves inside.
Daddy/Daughter Date Night is an annual event at HCN for dads and their girls to spend an evening together. Pastor Carol Waller expanded the invites this year to dads and college girls and close to one hundred and fifty people accepted and attended last Friday night, February 10, 2012, in The Center. There was fingernail painting and BINGO games, good food and photos. Somewhere in the process, memories were made with the investment of time. I am glad I go to a church that offers those kinds of opportunities.
Room-in-the-Inn sent ten homeless men to our church campus on Saturday evening, February 11, 2012. They were fed on tables with tablecloths on real plates and silverware. They were provided a warm, safe place to sleep; a place to shower; new socks and underwear; a place to wash clothes. On Sunday morning, they were fed breakfast and given a sack lunch to take back to the streets. They were treated with respect and cared for like guests. The Young Professionals Sunday School Class hosted the evening and provided food and chaperones. The group included Richard Rouse, Beth Rouse, John Reigard, Rachelle Reigard, Grant Reigard, Diane Cater, Annie Cater, Philip Lutz, Natalie Lutz, Shelly Flint, David Flint, Emily Flint, Evan Flint, Ted Brown, Buddy Mabry, Kristi Mabry, Paul Stonecipher. Thanks for caring for those without a place to sleep on one of the coldest nights of the year. Thanks for serving Jesus.
Greg Ruff, Director of Sports Information at Trevecca Nazarene University, sent me an email today with information regarding several families from HCN. First, Kris and Jennifer Neely are the focus of an adoption sponsorship on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at the Union/Trevecca basketball games. $3 from every adult ticket will help Kris and Jennifer to adopt a child along with any monies donated in addition. Becca Sharpe plays for Union and Heather Miller is a senior for Trevecca. Second, Trevecca's athletes voted on their favorite professors recently and two of the top five are members of HCN. They are Dr. Mike Jackson and Dr. Jea Agee. Congratulations to Mike and Jea. It is not surprising. Each invests their teaching gifts in their local church. Mike teaches the Senior High Boys on Wednesday evenings and Jea teaches the Crosstrainers Adult Sunday School Class.
The deputation offering for Missionaries Spencer and April Baggott now totals $2,140. We will send a check this week to their account in Lenexa, Kansas. They will be able to access the money for their own equipment needs on the field in Rwanda. Thanks for your generosity.
Two weeks ago, my wife, Anna, called me at the office to tell me she had just received super news but that I could tell no one, yet. A job opening was being posted at the Summit Surgery Center and Anna was the nurse standing next in line. Anna has worked for sixteen plus years at Summit Medical Center as a charge nurse on fourth floor. Three years ago, she began to work two days at the hospital and two days at the surgery center. It did not take long before she knew she wanted to work full-time at the surgery center. Practically, it means she will have every Saturday and Sunday off, and every major holiday, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day. She has now officially been offered the position, contingent on drug screens and background checks. It is one more area where we are thankful for answered prayer. We receive it as a gift from God.
I am thankful for you.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard
Dear Family and Friends of Hermitage Church of the Nazarene,
Congratulations to Jon and Cassidy Nelson on the birth of the daughter, Nora Leone Nelson, on Friday, February 3, 2012, at 10:15 AM at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Nora weighed 9 lbs and measured 20 ½ inches in length. Cassidy is the unusual young mother who waited two weeks past her due date to deliver. She was assisted by mid-wives and used no anesthetics. We bless the Lord who has entrusted Jon and Cassidy with a child to love and to teach His ways.
Congratulations to Carolyn Washing on her selection by her peers as Teacher of the Year for West Wilson Middle School in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Carolyn is an 8th Grade Science Teacher. She will represent WWMS for Wilson County Teacher of the Year.
HCN Senior High Students participated in the District Extravaganza for Arts and Music on Friday-Saturday, February 3-4, 2012. The results were Ben Mabry and Jonathan Mowry: 3rd place for Senior Youth Worship Band, 2nd place for Senior Youth Instrumental Group; Sophie Green: 3rd place Senior Youth Oil/Acrylic, 2nd place Senior Youth Watercolor; Kevin Helm: 1st place Early Youth Pencil, 3rd place Early Youth Photography, 1st place Early Youth Chalk/Pastel;
Nolan Magee: 2nd place Early Youth Pen/Ink, 2nd place Early Youth 3D; Daniel Magee: 1st place Early Youth Pen/Ink, 3rd place Early Youth 3D; Emily Mowry: 2nd place Senior Youth Pen/Ink, 1st place Senior Youth Watercolor; Anna Waller: 2nd place Early Youth Chalk/Pastel. We celebrate the gifts of each young woman and young man and congratulate them on their efforts and awards.
Room-in-the-Inn sent ten homeless men to the HCN campus on Saturday, January 28, 2012, for meals, fellowship, and rest. Adults who prepared food and assisted in set-up were Tim and Treila Garrett, Gina Winfree, Holly Steinmetz, Lisa Anderson, Jonathan Paddon, Glenda Perkins, Paul Stonecipher, Christy Stonecipher, Kristi Mabry, Beth Rice, Charlotte Rose, Bill and Julie Groover. Pastor Shane Tarter led Senior High Students in set-up, chaperoning, and clean-up: Colby Wilcox, Conner Allen, Taylor-Anne Cupit, Dylan Valentine, Evan Hollingsworth, Abbie Winfree, Hannah Garrett, Marley Gibson, Daniel Jones, Hunter Steinmetz, Grant McCoy, Reed McCoy, Haylee Fee, Sadie Dillon, Max Andrade, Robert Luther, Brandon Shepard, Brooke Elkins, Audrey Patterson, Morgan Harold, Jonathan Mowrey, Reed Fisher, Emily Paddon, Kelli Rose, Jessica Perkins. Thanks to all who served in the name of Jesus, for the sake of Jesus.
The Mission Africa '12 Team met on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, to continue plans for the June 14 to July 1, 2012, trip to Kenya. There are nineteen people currently planning to make the trip: Traci Hollandsworth, Kim Vann, Valerie Marsh, Adrie Brown, Rachel Jones, Madison Trotter, Max Andrade, Justin Angle, Robert Angle, Gregg Trotter, John Reigard, Phil Stinson, Jody Sweeten, Dan Scott, Jackie Kuiack, Richard Rouse, Betty Willis, Anna Plummer, Howard Plummer. Crazy as it seems, it is not too late to join the group if you are interested. However, shots need to be completed and passports need to be ordered.
The initial offering for Spencer and April Baggott's Deputation Offering is $685. The offering will be held open one more week. If you would like to contribute, make your check to HCN and designate for the Baggott family. We will then send the total to the mission account Spencer and April use for their personal equipment needs.
I keep learning things about God's people that surprise me. I have learned through the last few weeks that the people who have suffered or are suffering the most are the people who know how to pray for others. I chased a couple down who had prayed at the altar last Sunday morning. They were there claiming promises from the scripture preached. Isaiah 40:31... "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." I watched them pray and praise and I thought about how extremely appropriate that scripture was for their circumstances. But when I caught up with them, do you know what they said to me? They said, we are praying for you. And when a friend of mine who has gone through far worse than anything I could imagine emailed me last week, do you know what it was for? It was to tell me the scripture he was claiming as he prayed for my healing. I am humbled. How fortunate I am. Thank you for your prayers. I am convicted more than any time in my life that we must pray for one another.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Howard