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