Church board and staff Christmas Party 2009

Tonight Sharron and I prepared for the Christmas party to express our appreciation to the members of the church board and the staff of NRN. Actually - I just stayed out of the way for Sharron to prepare all the "goodies" and took care of a few "honey do" chores at her request.

We placed a few lights around the outside of the house:

The kitchen table was prepared to receive guest for good conversation and laughs....

The Christmas tree in the living room was trimmed. The Nativity set below the tree was hand painted and prepared by Sharron as her project during her pregnancy with our daughters in 1980.

The tree in the Family Room is decorated with the ornaments collected across the years as a family. The star on top is made from the original cardboard staff I cut from a box and covered with aluminum foil and placed on top of the first Christmas tree Sharron and I had after we were married. The staff is a reminder of simpler days. And also reminds us of how blessed we truly are.

This year Sharron had plenty of chips and salsa with 7 layer bean dip; vegetables with ranch dip; fruit salad; and cranberry frozen salad. Then came the chicken salad sandwiches; party ham rolls; pigs in a blanket; Angus beef meatballs and little smokies in a crock pot. But everyone seemed to especially enjoy the section for desserts:

The iced water and ice tea were complemented with the variety of teas and coffees as well as hot apple cider on the stove.

Then the time came to eat and enjoy a great evening of fellowship:





Several people took a "goodies bag" home with them. The first guest arrived about 6:30 and the final guest left shortly after 10:00. It was an enjoyable evening with great conversations - plenty of laughter - and a great spirit among us.

Sharron is awesome as she worked so hard to prepare for the evening.

I am so blessed to have her in my life.

Preparing to celebrate Christmas

How are you preparing to celebrate Christmas?

Need an idea for hanging lights of your house?

See if this makes your head and shoulders rock:

Simply Christmas part 1

The last few days have been quite hectic in the Hudgens' household. I am really enjoying preaching this Christmas season. On November 29th we celebrated the first Sunday of Advent and I began a new teaching series called Simply Christmas.

Here is what I said on the first Sunday of Advent: Let’s pull back the layers of Christmas in today’s culture and focus on the core of the holiday. Join with us as we see what Simply Christmas is all about ~ a real authentic Christmas this year.

Every Sunday of this time of advent we will feature a presentation from the Seasonal Choir; a live drama vignette and the lighting of the candles on the advent wreath.

We began this series by viewing Christmas through the perspective of Mary ~ to trust God for the impossible. Last Sunday we viewed Christmas through the eyes of Joseph ~ to never under estimate your influence.

On December 13, we will feature our children’s ministry as we view Christmas through the “stinky, smelly shepherds” – to seize the moment.

December 20th we will view Christmas with a simple perspective through Jesus–the name says it all!

We will bring our celebration of advent to a crescendo on Thursday evening, December 24, at 5:00 p.m. as we will gather for our annual Christmas Eve Service–featuring a moving time of worship, the Christmas message through a simple format, the candle lighting and communion. Christmas is wonderful time of the year to invite friends, family and neighbors to join you to experience Simply Christmas.

This past Sunday we enjoyed the presentation of the Seasonal Choir under the direction of Rose Thomas.

The drama vignette consisted of a reader's theater and the drama ministry portraying the scene in silhouette. It was very moving to see this live portrayal.

We are really excited about this coming Sunday with the Children's Ministry presenting a mini-musical about the shepherds of the Christmas Story.

By the way - What do you think of my first attempt for a new background?

Chasen - in concert at NRN

Today was a wonderful day at NRN! The worship center is decorated for Christmas and with the music filled the air. At the close of the message many hands were raised as people took their request to God to clear the clutter of the busy season and help us focus on the simple message of Christmas this year.

I am really excited about the event at North Raleigh on Wednesday December 2nd.

Christian Artists "Chasen" as heard on K-Love and HIS radio, will be performing for the first time in Raleigh, NC. Their new hit "On and On" is on the top 25 played songs on K-Love Radio.

The doors will open at 6:30 with the concert beginning at 7:00pm. Advance ticket pricing is $7.00 each, $8.00 each at the door, and groups of 10 or more are $6.00 each. Contact the church at 870-1141 Monday-Thursday from 9:00am-4:00pm for information or tickets

If you are not familiar with this new group - here is a taste:

This song is about Chase's personal relationship with God about six years ago. He was at the beach where he had a decision to make,

to either follow Christ or "Drown" in his sin.

Thank God he decided to follow Christ!!

Here are the lyrics to Drown:

Walking the beach 4. A.M.
Listening to the waves as
they crash upon the sand.
Its just a Black Sea.
The moonlight and me.

[Chorus]
Its sink or swim.
I'm drowning within you.
Somebody rescue me.
Cause I'm go'in against the stream.
I fell in love with somebody like you.
And I know yeah that you wanted me to.
You told me who I was.
But I don't want to.
No, I don't want to.
I don't wan to.
I don't wanna drown.

Thinking about these words
How do they fit and
how do they come together?
What do they mean?
Once again, I'm alone,
And its just me.

[Chorus]

Oh, I don't wanna drown.
No.

Yeah, its sink or swim
I'm drowning within you
Somebody Rescue me.
Cause I'm go'in against the stream
I fell in love with somebody like you.
And I know that, yeah, you wanted me to.
You told me who I was.
But I don't want to.

I fell in love with somebody like you.
And I know that, yeah, you wanted me to.
You told me who I was.
But I don't want to.
No I don't want to.
I don't want to.
I don't wanna drown.
No. I don't wanna drown.
Oh, I don't wanna drown
No. no. no.
No, I don't wanna drown.
No. no. no. no. no.
I don't wanna drown.

Preparing for the first Sunday of Advent 2009

Still giving thanks to God for my family, friends, health and the privilege to serve the Lord!

Sunday November 29th promises to be a great day at NRN for the first Sunday of Advent 2oo9. We will honor Christ during our worship experience by lighting the Advent Candles on the Advent Wreath. The Seasonal Choir will lead us in celebrative worship as we sing favorite and familiar Christmas carols. The drama team will present a short vignette and I will being a new teaching series.

I penned these words for the worship folder to introduce this series:

Let’s pull back the layers of Christmas in today’s culture and focus on the core of the holiday. Join with us as we see what Simply Christmas is all about ~ a real authentic Christmas this year.

Every Sunday of this time of advent we will feature a presentation from the Seasonal Choir; a live drama vignette; the lighting of the candles on the advent wreath; and a teaching message from Pastor Rick. Today we view Christmas through the perspective of Mary – to trust God for the impossible. Next Sunday we plan to view Christmas through the eyes of Joseph – to never under estimate your influence. On December 13^th we will feature our children’s ministry as we view Christmas through the “stinky, smelly shepherds” – to seize the moment. December 20^th we will view Christmas with a simple perspective through Jesus – the name says it all!

We will bring our celebration of advent to a crescendo on Thursday evening December 24^th at 5:00pm as we will gather for our annual Christmas Eve Service – featuring a moving time of worship, the Christmas message through a simple format, the candle lighting and communion.

Christmas is wonderful time of the year to invite friends, family and neighbors to join you to experience Simply Christmas.

Preparing for a day of Thanksgiving

BIG DAY - Preparing for a day of Thanksgiving with family and friends. Praying for safety for those who are travelling. Remembering prayer request for many hurting people. Pausing to say thanks to God for His many blessings.

Here is a thought: Stop to count your blessings:

Alyse visits for the weekend

Today was another great day at NRN as we sensed the presence of the Lord. This was a fantastic weekend with many activities. I express my appreciation to Amy Manshack and Sandy Floyd - and to all who joined them on Saturday for the painting party in the children's wing of our facility. Soon the new children's ministry logo will adorn the wall and the new Children's Church area is updated.

I had "papa duty" this weekend as Sharron attended a baby shower and ladies meeting on Saturday - I took care of Alyse on Saturday morning and we enjoyed some time at our friends (Phil and Joanie Richards) in the afternoon. Joanie speaks often that the Durham LIFE group is "dog friendly" - and here is evidence with Alyse:

Alyse loves Tova - the newest family member at the Richards

Alyse enjoyed time with Tova, Mada and Indy

Sometime she like to play "dog" with them.

She seemed to especially

enjoy a few moments in one of the kennels.

She had fun in the tub when we arrived home. Her Saturday bath time is filled

with laughter and then she begins the process to prepare for Sunday.

There was even time for a little play time at Papa's house before heading to bed.

Alyse really had fun at church today. We gathered with friends at Red, Hot and Blue for lunch following the service. She like spending a few moments with the pig.

It is always a joy to have Alyse visit for the weekend. I am a little sad that it's time for her to go home. As I prepare this posting - she is asleep for her nap. soon we will leave to drive to the pre-arranged meeting place for a late dinner with Stephanie. We will see Alyse later in the week as we gather for Thanksgiving Day.