Hello Folks,
     This past Sunday night approximately 50 of our children presented a musical that was exceptional in many ways.  The children were well prepared, knew their prats, and presented them with great enthusiasm.  You could tell that they, and those who helped them had worked very hard in making this a high quality presentation.  Shannon and Ken Brewer, as well as Todd and Sarah Aiken, along with other adults helped make it of great value for the kingdom. 
     Every year in our congregation, as in most, we do certain things that pretain to Christmas.  Most of our adult Sunday School classes have a Christmas party.  We have a Christmas with the Church dinner with good attendance along with a children's program like the one I talked about in the previous paragraph.  I also work in conjunction with Dale Gruver, our Worship Pastor, to coordinate the sermons with the worship music so Advent Season can have a very concentrated impact.  We have done all of this in an effort to help people remember that Christmas is about the Savior.  I do not know if we always get it right but I do know that we are attempting to accomplish it as much as we can.  I pray that this year those who have attended Greeneville First Church of God will have had to think about Jesus.  That they have had to think about who He is, what He has done, and what it means to them.  If this is not the end results then we have missed the real meaning of Christmas.  I pray that this Christmas season will have real impact upon you and your family and that you will know that Jesus is the real reason for our celebration. 
     Ruth and I will be visiting our children over the holidays so you will not hear from me for a couple of weeks on the blog but when I get back from our family celebration I will get back on line and communicate some of my thoughts to you once again.  God bless you all.

Have a Great One,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     Two weeks from today is Christmas Day.  Most of us will be blessed by God to be with our families and to celebrate the wonders of the joys of what this day means.  While the shepherds could not have understood all that they were part of almost 2000 years ago they did know that they were witnessing something that was amazing.  While you and I do not know what will come in the days and weeks in fronts of us know this the One who was born on that Christmas morning is the One who will bring the amazing and wonderful to our lives if we would simply come to Him.
     There is a pastor I know in Pennsylvania who is putting out an excellent "magazine" that  would do all of us good to receive.  His name is Bruce Wilson and the "magazine" is called Truth In HD.  You can contact Pastor Wilson at pastorbruce53@yahoo.com and I would encourage you to do so and get on his mailing list.
     Many of you are probably not familiar with the magazine Truth Matters published by Pastor's Fellowship but it is certainly worth your time and effort to read.  The cost is very minimal and you can contact the co-editors David DeVoll at davedevoll@yahoo.com orRichard Bradley skypilotwo@msn.com if you would like to receive a copy.  In this particular issue there are articles that every family should read that pretain to raising children up for the King and not for the culture.  If you cannot afford the cost of the magazine tell our editors to send me the bill for it and I will pay for one issue for you.  I know that in the future when Pastor's Fellowship gets its website up there will be an effort to make this magazine available on-line. 
     God's truth is amazing and in a world that is filled with all types of counterfeits it is vitally important that His truth be lifted for all to hear.  The material I have told you about are two such venues where truth is given for all to hear. 

Have a Great Day,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     All around us are people getting ready for Christmas.  Ruth and I will be going to viist our children and grandchildren as well as some friends who are very special to us.  I am sure that most of you have particular plans for Christmas.  The eating of dinner, the opening of gifts, the celebration of family, and, I pray, the wonders of the birth of Christ will be part of your Christmas.  May we never forget in the midst of being with our families and friends that there is a wonderful Savior whose birth we are celebrating.  Make sure you plan some way to bring Christ into the midst of your time with those you love and remind them of the Savior as well.
     Every year it seems that our culture attempts to remove Christ from Christmas.  This year the governor of one of the Northeast States decided that he would not allow a Christmas tree to be placed at the govenor's mansion but he called it a "holiday" tree.  Different atheist organizations and the ACLU appear to have an agenda to make sure that Christ be excluded.  I guess we could remind them of the story of a king who attempt to exclude Jesus from life itself and failed dramatically.  We could tell them of people who have opposed Jesus and even crucified Him and then we could tell them the rest of the story about the resurrection. I realize that many will not believe it at all but know this the truth of the Savior will never be lost as long as Christians tell the story.  Be a person who tells the story to those around you this year.  Tell it to your children, your grandchildren, your friends, your neighbors and anyone else that you can.  This is the most amazing story that has ever been given to mankind to tell and may God's glorious church be the "voice crying in the wilderness".
     I pray that the joy of Christ be in your home this year.

H. G. Rudd

Hello Folks,
     Thanksgiving 2012 is over and we are now emersed in the Christmas season.  On Thanksgiving evening I drove by Walmart and was surprised to see the parking lot absolutely full.  I have been tolks that Black Friday was like that as well.  I realize that the merchants needed that day to help them have profit for the year.  According to what I have read yesterday was the largest day for purchasing on line in the entire year. 
     While many were getting ready for the Christmas season and purchasing the gifts that they will give their friends and loved ones I wonder if any of us gave much thought to the wonders of the season.  What an amazing truth has been provided for us by God's Word in the Christmas account.  Jesus Christ was born in the flesh and we celebrate that birth as a part of our lives.  The Savior came to earth to save His people from their sins and all who so desire are given the opportunity of receiving His salvation. 
     Yet in the midst of that message, just as was the case on the morning of His earthly birth, people are running around and doing all the things of life.  While the vast majority of people in that day failed to grasp the meaning of His birth so many in our day just see it as another holiday that enables us to get with our families and give and receive presents.  I pray that God's glorious Church would use this time of year to point people to this wonderful Savior.  That we would bother to explain the message of Jesus with those who will allow us discuss it with them.  I also pray that those who will not talk about it with us will be impacted by the way we Christians live in and celebrate this season.  Surely we will not come to the end of this Christmas season and merely say we had a wonderful time with out families when we could say we were able to help our family and friends to receive the amazing gift of God His Son Jesus Christ.

May He Bless You All,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     Well, Christmas Season will offically be here after this coming Thursday--Thanksgiving.  It seems to me that this year has been racing by and I am left in the gate trying to figure out how my life is going by so quickly.  While Christmas is obviously in the winter time of the year it seems to me to point to a time of life.  God sent His only begotten Son so you and I could have life.
     I have enjoyed the month of November in the life of our congregation.  It is during the month of November that I preach a series of sermons on the family.  It also appears that November is one of the best attended months of year in our congregation.  This past Sunday we had a child dedication for a baby and two wonderful 5 year old twin boys all from the same family.  You will never know how this thrills my heart when I see a couple that is dedicated to raising their children in a manner that is pleasing to God.  I pray that the sermons that I have presented were anointed by God and that they will be of real benefit to families.  If we can help families then we have a real opportunty to reach generations for God.
     I have been a book, Mosaic, by Patrick Nachtigall and it has been very interesting.  There are times where I question his conclusions, but it is very clear that he is speaking to Church of God pastors and leaders across the world and relating what he is hearing and seeing.  I would encourage all of you to get the book and read it.  You might come away like me feeling somewhat helpless or you might see it as indicating promise for the kingdom.  It will be very interesting to see what will happen in the years to come.
     As a pastor I often feel as if I am out of touch, or at least in the dark, where the future is concerned.  It makes me question my decisions as well as the things that I hold as important.  I for one think that is healthy as long as it does not move to a place of indecision.  May I be found in His service as my life in this world slips away.

Have a great day,

H. G. Rudd

Hello Folks,
     This past week was a very important week for our nation.  I am really not sure where the election results will take us as a nation but I must admit that some of the possibilities are not what I would have hoped.  it seems that much of the legislation and actions by such groups as the EPA are designed to take our freedom away from us.  I wonder what our nation will look like in another 20 years and what our children and grandchildren will think of our choices.
     Yet that is not the most important thing that we need to consider.  You see real freedom only comes through Jesus Christ.  He is the only one who can really make you free.  Early Christians faced an antagonistic government that actually took the lives of those who they felt were "dangerous" to their nation.  If you were a Christian you would probably face persecution whether it was social, financial or political.  Yet believers refused to give up their position of following Jesus and only worshiping Him!  They knew that it would produce great difficulty and, possibly, death for them. 
     We also have Christians in other parts of our world that are already facing the refusal of jobs, going to prison and, even, death.  We in the United States may have to face persecution if we are to see our nation turn back to God.  I certainly do not want to see such things take place and neither am I suggesting that I am a prophet where this is concerned.  But I pray that Gods' marvelous Church of God will rise up and show the world around us that there is no one like Jesus and that His blood was shed for them!  Let us point people to Him and let us do so at whatever cost is demanded.

Have a Great Day,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     Ruth and I returned from Coshocton, Ohio where I preached a revival last week.  The church there is rather small about 65 in attendance but they support the revival really well and their hearts were filled up with the wonders of God.  It was a pleasure being there and getting to minister.  I think that Ruth must have sun in every service along with Pam Childers, the pastor's wife. 
     While I was there I got to see an old friend Duke Young.  He and I ran around together when I was a teenager before I entered the Army.  While he is not a Christian we had conversation about God and how his life had changed.  He was well on his way to becoming an alcoholic, if he was not already one, but stopped drinking 29 years ago, he is 63 now.  I ask you to pray for my friend because he needs Jesus in his life even if he does not think that to be the case. 
     This past week-end we had Dr. Rhonda Gibbs in our congregation.  She spoke to our youth on Saturday and then preached in both our worship services here on Sunday.  She also led in some leadership training.  Dr. Rhonda was a joy to have here and I believe that God used her greatly.  In our p.m. worship almost the entire congregation was at the altar praying and seeking God for our prayer lives.  
     Next week I will be in Kentucky on Nov. 5-6 in a Pastor's Fellowship Steering Committee meeting and ask you to pray that we hear from God in our time together.  I believe that we in the Church of God are at a pivotal time as a movement.  We will be making decisions that can have a great impact in the lives of many of our pastors and other leaders.  If we are not faithful to the Word of God then there is little, if anything, that we can do to build the Kingdom.  We will be considering what the theme for our May 6-7, 2013 Pastor's Fellowship meeting will be about, dealing with issues concerning conferences that will take place during that time, as well as other concerns that are in our hearts.  Pray that we hear from God so we can do His will.
     Maybe some of you have concerns for the Church of God Reformation Movement and would like to give your thoughts to me.  I would be happy to take them to the meeting and present them if at all possible.  Let me know.

May He bless you,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     The past two nights I have attended the Reformation Rally at Horse Creek Church of God here in the Greeneville, Tn area.  The sermons were Spirit filled and the attendance was good.  As I sat and listened to what was being said I was thinking that the messages are still needed in my life.  The thought that the battle over sin is still taking place in my life and that I still desire to see people saved rose in my heart and mind.  It is so easy to be overwhelmed by all that takes place in the life of the church that the grind of the everyday can cause me to lose sight of the real call of God on my life.  It is easy to do what is needed and fail to do what is important!  I am thankful that God used Bill Neece and Darryl Allen to remind me of the real battle and the real goal.
     Have you ever wondered what God is waiting to do in your life and in your ministry?  Are we not called by God to engage in battle with the enemy and to stand as warriors for Him in this world?  It seems to me that I see many, myself included, are merely waiting for next Sunday.  Is it not true that the real battle is engaged every moment of every day?  Do we not see a world that is lost and headed for hell or have we become so innoculated sitting in our office or doing the normal of our day that we no longer are invovled in the warfare?  It is not just about singing the songs, preaching the sermons and teaching the lessons but it is about men, women and young people who are swamped with the difficulties of the moment and the horrors of sin.  Can we not at least tell them about the Savior who makes a person brand new in Him? 
     I pray that I will be a real warrior who is involved in the warfare for souls and that I will not merely sit back and wait for heaven.

Have a Great Day,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     I want to thank all of the folks of this congregation and others who have shown their apprecation during this month of Pastor Appreciation.  Last Sunday night after our worship we had a time of celebration and eating as a church family.  During that time folks gave the pastoral staff cards of appreciation and expressed their appreciation verbally.  I want to thank all of you for making me realize once again how blessed I am to be here as your pastor.  Please pray thta I hear the voice of God and give the kind of leadership that is needed for our congregation in the year to come.  Unless God builds the house we all labor in vain. 
     It has been my joy to be a full time pastor in the Church of God since 1980.  Over 32 years of my life has been lived serving the church and I must say that it has been very gratifying for me.  Yet in that time I believe that I have seen some massive changes in the complexion of the landscape in the church.  It seems to me that as a Movement the Church of God has been confronted with a decided turn from much of the message that helped shape who we are.  Many pastors, and congregations, have isolated themselves from each other.  There are organizations within the Church of God that are clearly able to stand without the help of national ministry.  It is also true that some of our largest congregations can subsists without national ministries being a part of what they do.  Local pastors and congregations give little support to each other and fail to show any sign of the unity that we proclaim.  Could this be indication that some of us have fallen into a post-movement mentality?  While there is much call for accountability and the removal of congregational autonomy do we really think that any of our congregations or pastors are really going to accept the authority of a State Minister or National Leader over them?  Would there not just a mass exodus from the Movement and numerous independent  congregations?  Would the effort of the removal of autonomy not merely produce a much higher level of autonomy?  Those who are attempting to bring a greater accountability into place ought to consider what the possible outcome might be.
     Yet the real question that must be asked is what does God's Word say about this issue.  Do we see in God's Word an organization that gives rules and regulations as well as expectations to local congregations?  Do we see congregations that are independent of each other and move to their own desires without consideration of the rest of the body?  I would suggest that there is a biblical standard of mutual accountability that reveals dependence on each other as well as the ability to do what is needed in the local situation without using a "one size fits all" mentality. 
     This makes me wonder what is coming for the Church of God Reformation Movement.  If Jesus tarries what will the next 10 years produce?  Could it be that pastors and congregations will have a very difficult decision to make?  One thing is sure--unless more or our pastors show up for the General Assembly a smaller amount of individuals will be making decisions that effect the entire body.

Have a great day,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     It will not be long before the elections of 2012 will take place and, in my opinion, will determine exactly what our nation and the church will face in the future.  I often wonder why it is that Christian people do not vote Christian values.  What is it that causes good Christians to close their eyes to such obvious anti-Christian behavior in our politicians and the policies of our government?  How can Christians voite for politicians who support abortion and infanticide as well as a homosexual agenda. 
     Just for an example did you know that in the next couple of weeks some of our schools here in East Tennessee will be having a day where the homosexual agenda will be promoted?  One of the schools in White Pines, two in Newport, and one in Happy Valley all will either have their "MIT" which is an acrostic for Mixing It Up.  That is an effort to promote the homosexual lifestyle in our schools.  How is it that Christian parents are not up in arms over it? 
     Has our great nation lost the warfare with a socialist agenda and given up the basics of our individual freedom in hopes of having the government take money from one group of people to give it to another group of people?  Can Christians condone such an action when the bible promotes a work ethic that is being cast aside?  I realize that many of us would help those who are in need but it is very difficult to give to those who simply will not put forth effort to take care of their own needs.
     Well, when election day comes we will find out if Christians will vote Christian values or will they vote for politicians who support party politics that are in complete opposition to them.  I wonder what we will say when we stand before God and He asks why we allowed the murders of babies and the promoters of homosexuality to become our national leaders?

Pray for our nation,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     Over the next 7-8 weeks we will be hearing much about the Presidential election that is going to take place.  It seems to me that whatever the outcome Christians have to ask themselves a very simple question and it is whether they have been faithful to God.  I realize that in our lives we have a lot of other pressures on us and that our allegiance can be shaped by many other factors.  What I would like to do is to bring to our minds that we should be voting Christian values. 
     I think that most of us have come to the place where politics, and often politicians, have become rather distasteful to us.  It appears that many in positions of power are only interested in maintaining their positions thus they support the platform of their party more than they support their promises or their publicly stated values.  So what is a Christian to do in cases like that?  I think that most of us make the choice of voting for what we call "the lesser of the two evils." 
     Here is something that you might want to consider as a follower of Christ.  What about voting your Christian values as best represented by the politican that is being voted on in this election.  Who supports the most things, or the things of "higher value"?  Since life is a basic value of Christians which one supports life from the "womb to the tomb?"  Which politican supports biblical marriage?  Which politican supports freedom of religion and our right to voice Jesus and biblical truth in the public arena? 
     God has placed us here at this time and place for "such a time as this."  I wonder if we will be "weighed in the balances and found wanting?"  I guess each one of us will answer to God for our actions, our voices, and our votes.

Have a Great Day,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     This past Sunday Phyllis Newby from Haiti preached in our a.m. worship.  Whenever she is here I find myself thinking about the great sacrifice she has made to serve the Haitian people and God.  I also think about the amazing fruit that has come from that ministry and sacrifice.  She has served there now for over 40 years and God has used her for His glory.  Two orphanages, one hospital, health clinics, 240 congregations of the Church of God, elementary and secondary schools as well as a school to train people in particular areas of skills and much more could be added.  As she preached here she spoke about prayer and being empowered by the Spirit and I for one felt that God had spoken through her.  Please pray for her as she returns to her ministry this week and ask God to continue to use this woman for His glory.  Also pray that He will awaken us to be people of sacrifice and ministry so His message can be spread to our world.
     Yesterday was my 61st birthday and I find myself wondering how much longer do I have in this world.  How much more time will I be able to do the ministry that I have given over 32 years of my life to?  I guess as a person sees their body deteriorate they begin to realize that their own life is limited and that there is always an end to what we do in this life.  Yet I want to be used by God as long as He can use me.  So I ask you to pray that I will give myself to Him to bring glory to His name and His church!  Pray that I would continue to fight the fight of faith and that I would recognize temptation and flee from it.  God is good and he has given me many wonderful things in my life so I ask that my life continue to be used for Him.

Bless you all,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     This past week the Church of God Reformation Movement in Tennessee met for our annual State Assembly meeting.  It was a time when I got to see friends that I had not seen in quite a while and also meet some new people who are doing ministry in Tennessee.  David Sebastian, the Dean of the School of Theology at Anderson University was the speaker and he did an excellent job of preaching the Word.  My heart was filled joy at hearing God's Word presented in such a fashion and I was challenged by the insight that was provided.  I am thankful that God still speaks through His messengers and I pray that all who were there were helped through that time.
     We also presented an amended Credentials Manual 2011 for approval by the state ministers.  There were a couple things that I noted.  First, that the greater majority probably never read the manual so they did not know what they were approving.  Second, that those who were there were placing their future in the hands of those who were making the presentation.  I think I understand the trust that is given to each other but I wonder if it is wise.  It may be that a person can have the best of intent and be absolutely wrong or they may not have considered what could be in the future.  I just wonder how many state assemblies have approved the 2011 Credentials Manual without having read it and if they would be happy if they would consider the implications of what it states.  Oh, Church of God will look less and less like the body of people who saw the Church as a glorious organism that was brought into being through the blood of Jesus or will we wind up being another organization that is strangled by a structure that began with good intents but ended up as "lords" over the body of Christ?
     May the Lord bless you all.

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     Two Sunday nights ago I started a series on the Beatitudes and have found them to be very interesting, at least for me.   One of the tidbits that I came across was the thought that the term blessed could be translated as "Oh the bliss" so in Matt 5:3 it would read "Oh the bliss of the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  It is seen as a present reality rather than just a future hope.  Jesus is actually giving to us the message that we are kings in His kingdom and it is our bliss to currently be participants and recipients of His wonderful grace.  Oh the bliss of the person who walks in the kingdom of God.
     One of the questions that is circulating among pastors is who will be the new General Director of the Church of God Reformation Movement.  There is a committee in place that is working on this providing the right answer to this question.  They have interviewed numerous leaders and groups within the church as well as providing a questionaire for anyone to answer that would so desire to do so.  While I have no doubt about the good intents and the tremendous efforts that are in place to do this right I am also convinced that unless the church prays we will not see the right results.  Man's efforts are expected and needed but only God can place someone in the body where He would have them to be.  I ask you to pray concerning this issue.
     Recently I received a call from someone about an individual who had used my name as a reference.  It was an interesting conversation and during that time I had found that the leadership of the local congregation had given permission to their state ministries to make the final decision of who would be their pastor.  I wonder if this is a good precedent to set into place.  Is this the method that God would have us use where the governance of the local church body is concerned?  I realize that many are calling for the end of the autonomy of the local congregation but I would warn each of us to be gravely concerned about what we allow to take the place of autonomy.  I wonder what we will look like in a couple of generations?

Have a great day,

H. G. Rudd

Hello Folks,
     School is back in session around here and we are getting ready to move into fall and winter.  It seems to me that time has gone quickly and that there are numerous things that we will be doing here in the church.  One item that is very important is the vision planning that is in place.  When we have our Stewards meeting on Sept 12 we will  be considering the items that were presented during our vision meeting in August.  We thought it best to be praying about those things before we committed the effort and resources to attempting to bring them about.  I ask you to pray with us to make sure that we have heard the voice of God and that we merely attempt to accomplish what He desires.  There are some really challenging pieces to what we are considering that will demand not just our efforts but our faith. 
     One thing that is very pleasing to me is that the leadership of this congregation made a decision to leave a position empty because we did not have an appropriate person for it.  We will be presenting that person for ratification come Sept. 12 to the congregation in a short business meeting.  It seems to me that this reveals the desire of leadership to only do what God would have us to do in this congregation.  It would have been easy to get a name for the position but we were seeking the person that God desired for us.  The person's name will be made public come Sept. 12 which is the same manner that we do for our annual business meeting.  I am thankful for our leaders here.
     My wife and I are considering putting our house up for sale.  I am hoping that we can move into a house that is smaller and demands less effort for upkeep.  It was our plan to do this when we built the house but the housing market has been a big factor in not doing something sooner.  Please pray that we will know if this is the right thing for us to do or not. 

Have a great day,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     This past week-end was one of great joy in the life of our congregation.  It was Faith Promise Sunday and our speaker was Bill Konstontoupolous (?) or as I have known him for years Bill K.  God used him to lead our congregation to a great victory.  Over the past year and especially since June Kim Trantham, our Steward of Worship and her team, have done everything possible to inform the congregation about the projects that we are going to invest in throughout the world.  From Haiti to Equador to Turkey this congregation will send offerings to help in the ministries that take place in those countries and many other countries as well.  The goal was $30,000 and the total promised was $44,000.  Praise be to God that, along with out tithe will mean that lives will changed, congregations started, children fed and educated, homes built and numerous others will be introduced to Christ.  As the pastor of this congregation I give thanks to God for your faith!
      I have been reading  a book by Dennis Kinlaw and John N. Oswalt called Lectures In Old Testament Theology that has been extremely rich even though I have only read about 20 pages so far.  It is not the normal dry book written by theologians who have little experience out side of academia but it is written by someone who appears to have a sense of the need of people!  So in its pages one of the matters that is presented is that of what the term knowing in the bible means.  They clearly state that the meaning of the biblical term knowing is not "knowing about" but "knowing of."  It is the idea of having relationship with someone and even, as they say, communion.  I would encourage anyone to read this book.  the first chapter is worth the cost of it and I look forward to the rest of it as well.

May He bless you all.

H. G. Rudd

Hello Folks,
     This past Sunday was a time of God's presence in our worship.  In both of our worship services, a.m. and p.m., it seemed to me that our congregation was very open to God speaking to them.  I must admit that the preaching seemed to be very easy and that the attentiveness was extremely high.  It was as if all of us were waiting on God to speak to us and He did exactly that.  I pray that all who were there felt that same sense of His presence.
     Tonight is the annual business meeting of our congregation.  It is a time when the overall budget is presented and names will be presented for ratification for our Board of Stewards.  The current board has been very insistent that we make sure that we have the right people in place and while there are 4 positions open we will only be presenting 3 names until we come up with the right person to fill the fourth position.  We all believe that we are far better off waiting on God to give us the right person than just presenting a name so we can fill a position.  I believe God will honor that!
     This coming Sunday we will have our Faith Promise Campaign.  We will see what our congregation will believe God to do among us.  This group of people have invested themselves into missions over the years and the impact of their commitment will only be known in eternity.  I look forward to what He will do here.

Have a great day,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     I got back Monday night from Pennsylvania where I spent last week preaching a United Methodist Camp Meeting outside of a town called Rhimersberg.  The name of the place was called Cherry Run.  While I was there I shared the responsibilities of preaching and teaching with a retired Wesleyan Pastor by the name of Jim Hosey.  Let me simply say that I was blessed by his ministry and the people that were part of that camp meeting.  Brother Hosey preached holiness sermons and had one of the sweetest and most gentle spirit that I have ever been in contact with in my life.  The people were attentive and responsive to the sermons and I found myself blessed by being there.
     Our VBS took place a couple of weeks ago and I must say that it was a time of real excitement among the children and the workers.  Not only was it a time of excitement but there appeared to be some wonderful spiritual movement for God.  Erin Shores, who led the worship, told us at least two chidlren came to Christ during that time.  On Sunday, July 29, there were a number of parents and grandparents here to see what their children had learned and it was a real plesure seeing them worship with us.  I want to thank all those who made it possible for VBS to take place.  Paul Collins, the childrens steward, and his workers; Sharon Collins, Kim Trantham, Chad Inscore, and all the others worked hard to make it all come together.  They did great work and I am thankful for them.

Have a great day,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     I was sitting in my office cleaing out my e-mails when our DayCare Director Barbara Zilox stopped by and told me that the State of Tennessee has given Noah's Ark a 3-Star rating.  This is the first time in the history of Noah's Ark that this has taken place.  It is the highest rating that a DayCare can receive.  I want to thank Barbara and all those teachers and helpers who have made this possible.  They have worked extremely hard to bring this about and I for one am very thankful that they are part of the ministry of this congregation and poured themselves into the lives of these young people.
     This week our congregation is providing a Vacation Bible School for our community and the local congregation.  Last night I stopped in to see how they were doing and it appeared to be going very well.  If you have not seen what it takes to be able to do this ministry you would be suprised at the amount of adults and youth that are giving of their time and efforts to make it work.  Of course, there are those who have worked for months before it even began and I give thanks to God for their willingess to serve Him this way.  You should have seen the children as they were eating in the Family Life Center.  They were gathered around tables with their counselors and it was a pure delight just to watch and listen to them all.  Sometimes it appears to me that the adults have as much fun as the children do.
     This coming Sunday p.m. East Tennessee Camp Meeting will start and continue through the next Sunday p.m.  Gilbert Davila will be our speaker and Cindy Magsig will lead worship.  While I will be in Pennsylvania preaching a camp meeting myself I do believe that God will speak through them to accomplish His will here.  Pastor Davila will also preach here on Aug. 5 in the a.m. and Cindy Magsig will minister in song.  I pray that you will plan on being at these worship services.

Have a great one,

HGRudd
     

Hello Folks,
     At Anderson Camp Meeting during the General Assembly a resolution came to the floor that calls upon congregations to conditional deed their physical properties to the State Ministries of their respective states.  It also called upon each congregation to agree to fulfill the requirements of a "healthy" congregation that are listed in the new Credentials Manual.  I found myself in oppostion to that resolution for a number of reasons but most of those who were there, about 406 voting members, decided that it was acceptable.
     Here are the reasons for my opposition.  First, while I trust those who are in leadership today I wonder what might happen in the generations to come.  Could it be that a congregation would conditionally deed their property to state ministries, or national, and have them depart from the biblical truth that is so important to us?  I am sure the Episcoal Church never thought they would be in the situation they are now where local congregations are having to give up their properties due to their desire to disassociate themselves from their national stance on homosexuality.  Just suppose your congregation decides to conditionally deed their property and they find themselve in complete oppostion and refuse to give financially to state ministries.  Since that is one of the 15 expectations of a healthy congregation, and since our General Assembly has place a stamp of approval on it could they walk in and take your property?  It would seem that is exactly the case--again I do not think this generation has to worry but what about 2 or 3 generations in the future?  Will those who follow us rise up and call us traitors? 
     Second, this seems to be a step toward denominationalism to me.  While this may be a small step at this time there could be great and dire unintended conseqences.  We are hearing a number of people telling us that automony is bad but they are not telling us what they think it should be replaced with.  The biblical picture seems to me to be mutual accountability but the problem we all have is that we want others to be accountable to us but we do not want to be accountable to them.  Is the call to rename our State Ministers Association as Overseers a symptom of this issue?  Is that another incremental step that is being taken?  Now, again I do not think there are devious intentions in any of these issues but the law of unintended consequences could be the result. 
     Third, while I know some are saying that conditional deeding is needed, and I struggle with that question myself, to keep other groups from acts of piracy where local congregational properties are concerned, I would remind state and national ministries that the properties do not belong to them either!  If a local congregation does not deal with those issues in a manner that rejects allowing people to sit in leadership that are not convinced of the message of the Church of God Reformation Movement then that is their decision, however wrong that might be.  Our state ministries ought not to appear to want to take ownership for the purpose of funding for their own budgets.  Again, this may not be what is desired but this might be the unintended consequences that some are confronted with in years to come.
     This is something for all of us to ponder as we all are responsible for the those who follow us.

Have a great one,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     It is good to be back in the office and hopefully starting to get back to normal after being at Anderson Camp Meeting and then taking a week of vacation.  Anderson Camp Meeting and General Assembly meeting was filled with business worship services and a couple of meetings.  It was so good to see people that I have not seen in a while and while I sat through a few hours of General Assembly it was something that needed to be done.  Every year business is presented and decisions are made where a handful of people, about 400 on Tuesday, make decisions that have impact upon the greater Church of God Reformation Movement.  I pray that we see more people show concern and participate in this process and that the Movement would really be able to reach our world with this great message of Christ, unity and holiness.
     When we left Anderson Ruth and I went to see our children.  While at James' in Indianapolis we watched our grand daughters play softball.  It was  a real thrill to watch Jordyn hit a home run and to watch Alexis pitch.  It is hard to believe that they are growing up.  Then we went to Pekin, Il and stayed with Debby and her family.  Bob, our oldest son, and I played golf one day and I was thankful to have that time with him.  As I look at my children it causes me to realize how much I love them and give thanks to God for them. 
     We got back into town on July 5 bringing 3 of our grandchildren with us.  Landon is 5 years old and it is his first time with us.  Camryn is 12 and Breanne is 13 and they have been with us a number of times.  We have tried to make the best of it, yesterday we took them to Locust Springs and let them spend some time on the water slide then later on in the day we drove through Cherokee National Forest and went to Hot Springs, N.C. and then drove home stopping to get ice cream. 
     I want to thank you for giving me that opportunity to enjoy my physical family.  Yet I am thankful to be back here because of each one of you.  God has given me a wonderful congregation to pastor and I praise him for you all.

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     The summer activities are fast approaching for me and probably for all of you.  Next week I will be in Anderson, In at the annual camp meeting and General Assembly meeting.  While I look forward to seeing folks that I have not seen in a while I really dread the trip.  If it were not for the fact that I feel the great need to participate in our national ministry efforts I would stay home.  Of course, it also helps that Ruth and I will take a week vacation and visit with our children while we are close to them.  When we come back we will bring 3 or 4 of grandchildren back with us for a couple of weeks.  We really look forward to having them here with us.
     When I read the news I often wonder what our nation and our world will look like in 20 years.  The state of Virginia appointed a judge, against the state legislatures desires, that is extremely pro-homosexual.  General Mills, JC Penny's, Home Depot and others are showing that they are also pro-homosexual.  The President of the U.S. has come out in favor of homosexual "marriages' and has directed the Justice Department to no longer enforce the laws of our land including the Defense of Marriage Act.  What will we look like in 20 years? 
     The answer to all this is that the church of God still has Jesus as its head and that will never change.  I wonder if much of what we see is nothing more than indications that we are moving toward the time when His church will be encircled by the paganistic forces of our world and He will have to intervene?  Of course this could just be nothing more than the surmising of an older man but it makes you wonder.

May He Bless You All,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     Here we are in the month of June and it summer is just a matter of days away from us.  One of the facts of getting older is that time seems to run past us as a furious rate.  I can remember my parents talking about how fast time goes by and I find myself echoing their words now that I have had the privilege of living over 60 years.
     This past week a very good friend went on to be with the Lord.  Her name was Willie Heberer.  Willie was 75 years of age and had been beseiged with cancer.  When Ruth and I pastored in Pekin, Il she and her husband, Earl, came to the Lord on Oct. 26, 1980.  What friends they were to us.  When Ruth and I went to Pastor's Fellowship in Kentucky she would watch our kids.  My children have wonderful memories of her and Earl.  We spent time with them, laughed and mourned with them.  Now, she has gone on to be with the Lord and her time on this earth is over.  But praise be to God anyone who will serve Jesus can have the privilege of seeing her and Earl again.  Friends, cannot be overestimated!  She was a true gift from God for me and Ruth.
     I wonder if you have friends like that?  I pray that you do and if you do not then you should call on God to enable that to take place.  What a joy it is to have people you can celebrate life with and hold close in your heart.
     Another one of my friends from Pekin is Jess Glidewell.  He is now about 72 years of age and is battling cancer.  I have known him since about March of 1980.  My family has eaten at his house so many times that I think he could have used us as a tax deduction.  His family is dear to me as well and I am praying that God continue to give healing to his body.  It is my understanding that he has recently come to the Lord for salvation so I have assurance that I will be able to see him in glory when that time comes.
     Is it not strange but the older we grow it is not uncommon to see our friends and loved ones leave this world.  Since that is true we should be prepared to live in eternity with Christ and with them.  I wonder if you are ready?

Have a great day,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     This past week-end we celebrated Memorial Day here in the U.S. and over the past few years I watch as our nation honors our fallen warriors.  All those individuals who gave up all of their tomorrows so that we could enjoy the freedoms that we have today deserve the honor that we can bestow upon them.  May our nation never forget the great price that was paid so we could have free speech, freedom of religion and all the rest of the freedoms that many nations do not have.  Thank God for our Founding Father's who believed that freedom was worth all that they had.  May we constantly remember that ourselves.
     But we would be foolish if we forgot that Jesus fought the battle against death and sin so that you and I could have freedom from sin and freedom from the fear of death.  What a wonderful Savior He is to all who would bother to come to Him.  How can our world forget the fact that God sent His only begotten Son to this earth to die for us!  Can we celebrate the warriors of our nation and forget the battle that raged on Calvary and in the grave?  Jesus is the Victor over it all and because of that you and I can live life in Him with the freedom that he made possible.  Thanks be to Him.
     May this week be filled with the reminders of His marvelous grace.  Have a great week.

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     Sometimes I wonder if we as Christians reveal to the world around us that the message of Christ is important.  Maybe it would be more appropriate to ask that question of myself rather than you.  You see it appears to me that it is very easy to go through life just doing the things we do that are normal for us without ever giving any indication that God or His Word have any real impact on how we do anything.  Now, I know that life is busy and, sometimes, difficult and we do not have to stand on a street corner and shout to those around us that Jesus is Lord.  But it would seem to me that Jesus would mean more to us than a mere Sunday excursion to a building somewhere to sing songs and hear a sermon.  It also seems to me that if he does mean more to us in our lives then it would be revealed by our words and our actions.
     This world that we live in is filled with all kinds of things that people can give their lives to and if we are not careful we can be so caught up in those things that we fail to raise Jesus for others to see.  Or, more importantly, we can be so caught up in everything we do that Jesus just becomes another thing that is added to our lives.  Can it be that we make Jesus a small segment of our life and not the central person of our lives? 
     I am not sure that everyone struggles with this question and maybe it is more of a "pastor" question.  You realize that we see people who proclaim Christ as their Savior but they are so sporadic in anything that is common to being a Christian that it makes pastor's wonder about them.  But then I ask if maybe we as pastors are not doing the same things.  While we may go to church all the services, of course we have to be there as the pastor, are we living the message in our daily lives? 
     Just some questions that I have.

Have a great one,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     Do any of you ever wonder if your decisions and actions are making any difference in the lives of people you come into contact with in life?  Well, as a pastor sometimes I wonder if I am doing the things that God desires so that men and women will be changed for Him.  I am so thankful for people who seem to grow up in Christ--it is watching people like that that enables me to realize that my time is not wasted. 
     The older I get it seems that I think more about the things that are of importance.  We pastors deal with the matter of numbers--numbers where attendance and dollars are concerned.  As a matter of fact most congregations measure their pastors using those statistics and I would think that it is a part of what is important.  If congregations do not grow numerically it is obvious that they will cease to exist in time.  But if those things are the only things that really matter then we have failed to grasp the really important issues.  It seems to me that Jesus is more concerned with the question of whether we are making disciples than anything else.  Remember that at the death of Jesus very few people were holding on to Him--they really wanted to keep some distance due to his situation. 
     So as I watch people in the church I often wonder if they are being changed by the message of Christ.  Are they really growing in Him?  Do they live in a manner that is markedly different than anyone and everyone else in this world?  Is that not the real question for all of us?

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     Ruth and I were at Pastor's Fellowship in Winchester, Ky this past Monday and Tuesday.  On Monday morning I was part of the Steering Committee meeting starting at 8:30 a.m. and going until noon.  Then at 1:30 preaching started and we left that night at about 9:30 p.m. getting back to the motel at 10:30 p.m.  The next morning we started with worship at 9:00 a.m. and concluded the day at 5:00 p.m. after 4 preaching services and one informational meeting.  We then ate dinner with some friends and got on the road at about 6:45 p.m. getting home last night at 10:30 p.m.  It was a long 2 days but was filled with the presence of God and I am thankful that I could be there.  It takes place every year on the first Monday and Tuesday of May and is open to anyone who might want to attend.  There were 10 people from our congregation, counting Ruth and me, at it this year.  If you would like to hear the sermons I hope to have them on the website here in a couple of weeks.  If you like to hear some great sermons about the doctines of the Church of God Pastor's Fellowship is the place for you to go.
     This past Sunday Morning the Lord was very present in our worship.  I am thankful to the choir for their participation in the sermon by preparing and singing songs that worked with what I said.  They were actually helping me to preach the sermon and God used us all.  It is a real pleasure to me to be the pastor of this congregation.  The people here allow me to just be me and to seek God's presence with me as we worship.  I am thankful that He sent me here.

Have a great day.

HGRudd
    

Hello Folks,
     This past Sunday we had a sister who serves in Eurasia with our congregation sharing in our a.m. worship about the ministry that she is involved in and has been for over 25 years.  Working with the Muslim world necessitates that I be vague about who she is as it could produce many problems for her and, possibly, grave danger of life.  We in the church here in the U.S. usually do not have to deal with that kind of possible danger for declaring the message of Jesus but when we spoke about her ministry it humbled me to think that here is a woman who is literally putting her life in danger for our King.  I ask you to pray for her and the ministry that God has made possible for her.  Also pray that you and I would remember what responsibility we have because of the opportunities we have available.
     Next Sunday I plan on going to Winchester, Ky to Pastor's Fellowship if the Lord is willing.  I look forward to this time each year as it has been a place where I can hear very clear and distinctive doctrinal sermons preached that bring us God's truth.  Maybe it is a matter of my age but I hear very few people preach biblical truth where holiness, sanctification, the second coming and other such doctrines declared.  I wonder if the younger ministers even know what we have proclaimed, and believe, to be true?  Pastor's Fellowship has been a place where these messages can be heard and I am thankful that God has provided this for me.  The first time I went to it was in 1980 and I have only missed 2 or 3 times in those years.  What a glorious blessing it has been and I would encourage all of you to attend if you have the opportunity.  It is always the first Monday and Tuesday of May--make plans for next year if you cannot go this year.
     Ruth got back home yesterday and I am always very happy to have her back with me.  The kids and grandchildren were doing fine and she had a good time with them but I sure missed her.  We have been married over 41 years and she has been a wonderful help meet in my life and my ministry.  It is good to have her at home.

HGRudd

Rudd's blog

Hello Folks,
     Well, Ruth went to visit the kids for a week and I am having to make it on my own.  My daughter bought a table that would not fit in their car so Ruth had to use my truck to deliver it this week.  I do not like being without my truck but for my daughter I will suffer this week.  Last night I had to cook my own dinner.  I grilled out a steak and put some mac and cheese in the microwave and did pretty good with food.  But I must admit that I miss having Ruth there with me--the house seems empty and I do not like not having her there.  What I won't do for my daughter.
     I wonder if God does not use the common things like my love for my daughter to remind us of His love for us?  As Jesus said in Matt 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your Father which is is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?  I personally find it amazing that God would bother to forgive a one such as I.  You may deserve all that God would give you, even though I really doubt it, but I certainly do not!  He has been so good to me that I could never express it clearly enough.  Words fail me and my vocabulary is not large enough to be able to express it like it should be expressed.  He certainly is a wonderful Father to me.
     This next Sunday Charlotte McPherson will be speaking in our congregation. She works in Turkey and we have a wonderful relationship with her.  Her insights into the Muslim world is something that will be of great benefit to us.  She will be leading a conference at Pastor's Fellowship in Winchester, Ky on May 7-8 if you can be there it would be beneficial to you.
     May the Lord bless you all.

HGRudd  

Hello Folks,
It seems to me that summer is coming upon us pretty quickly. I have been cutting grass for about a month or so now and all the other things that go along with law care have demanded my attention. I must admit that I really do not care for working in the yard, as most of you already know. But I am reminded that if I want my lawn to look halfway decent I must put time in it. Can we not see that same truth is valid for our spiritual life? Unless you and I put time and effort into it we will not grow spiritually and it is very possible that spiritual death would be the result.
Here are a few things that you might want to do to get started in your spiritual journey. First, read the bible--develop a plan to read the Bible through in a year. It would probably demand that you read about 4 pages a day depending on the number of pages divided by 365 days. Second, take some time to pray--do not plan an hour a day but do plan at least 5 minutes a day. Start somewhere and make it a specific time each day at a particular place. Third, go to church and worship with the family of God at least once a week, more if possible. Fourth, tell someone about what Jesus has done for you. If you would follow these four simple suggestions you would find that you are growing in your spiritual life for Christ.
I pray that God will bless you today and as you move forward in your life for Christ may your life bring glory to our Savior.

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
I pray that you had a great Easter Sunday. One thing that has been on my mind is the question of how we measure a successful Sunday. Was it the music, the sermon, the attendance, the spirit of God in the worship, people being saved or sanctified, or what? What had to take place for us to consider it successful? As I look at what took place here this past Sunday I have to say that the music and drama presentation was phenomenal, the spirit of God was present and our attendance was very good. We even had one man make his way to an altar and the church family prayed with him. The sermon was preached from the depth of my heart and God seemed to me to be present. For me the only thing that makes a worship service successful is not all those things that I have listed but one simple issue and it is whether God was pleased. Now, I know that is a subjective measurement but it seems to me that God will enable us to know that He is pleased. I believe that God was pleased here this past Sunday a.m. and for that I am thankful.
This past Sunday I finished a 4 sermon series on The Blood and I have personally found it very interesting to prepare for it. The blood of Jesus was spilled out on Calvary for me and to think that it was more than mere O negative or positive captures my mind and heart. God in the Flesh allowed His royal blood to be poured out on the sacrificial cross of Calvary for anyone who would place their faith in Him. It cleanses and makes us whole and it is the only sacrifice that can take care of sin. Thanks be to God for the blood that makes me whole!
Celebrate with me the wondrous Resurrection of Jesus.

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
This coming Sunday we will celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. This entire week is a time when we will attempt to consider what it all means to us. On Wednesday here at Greeneville First Church of God we will participate in a Communion and a Foottwashing service. Hopefully we will consider that Jesus came to this world on our behalf and He served us so we ought to serve each other. Then Friday is Good Friday because it is the day that Jesus suffered on Calvary for us! His death was an amazing act of sacrifice that both He and our Heavenly Father engaged in on our behalf. But Sunday we will be able to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus which tells us that we can be raised from the spiritual death that sin brings! Jesus conquered death and hell and we can have victory over them through Him. Praise be to God for Resurrection Sunday.
This week I have my youngest son, James, and his two daughters visiting as well as my daughter Debby, her husband Tom, and their two children visiting as well. What a wonderful week it is for me to get to see them and listen to them laugh and talk. James and I are hunting turkey some of this week and the rest of the time Jackie McCrary is taking him out. He wears me out but it is still a wonderful time to be together and I thank God for allowing me this time.
I pray you have a great week.

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
It is easy in the life of a congregation to not see all that takes place to keep things going smoothly. Let me give you just a few items that you might not ever think about. Robert Crum and Jerry Hartsell give joint leadership to our ushers. They make sure we have enough ushers, that doors are locked at the appropriate time, if someone is sick they get help, if there is anything that I need such as water they make sure it is in place. They make sure things go smoothly and most of us just do not realize what they do.
Then there are the people who spend time to count the offering. There are a number of people who are willing to give of their time and effort to make sure the offering is counted so the rest of the process can be fulfilled. These people give up the time they could have been with their family to help us have a good accountability process in place for the funds that are given for the ministry.
The list could go on--Greeters, nursery workers, wee church, Junior Church, choir members, and the folks who operate our multi-media equipment all give of themselves every Sunday to the rest of us. I for one am very thankful for them. While they may often be unnamed or work behind the scenes they are just as important to what takes place as the rest of us are! I pray that more and more people would give of themselves to help the ministry take place here.

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
This past Sunday was one of those days that it seemed as if God were speaking in our midst. Our Sunday a.m. was blessed by the presence of God and all that took place seemed to have the amazing presence of God on it. The sermon was on The Blood of the Passover Lamb--it is the beginning of a series that will last through Easter on the blood. Next Sunday I will preach on The Blood Sacrifice and I pray that God will use that sermon as well. If you want to listen to it you can go to our website and listen to it there.
On Sunday p.m. we had Reggie Dabbs preach with the Master's Commission presenting drama in his sermon. He is going to be preaching at the State Youth Convention this coming week-end and throughout this week he will be at 5 high shools in our area. On Wednesday night he will be preaching at a rally for students of our county. Please pray that God will use him during that time. Sunday p.m. was well attended with many visitor's and God used him to bring the message of the Savior to those present.
I am thankful for your youth and our youth ministry. Anita Miller and her volunteer staff work extremely hard for those young people and it seems to me that we see some wonderful things taking place in that ministry. Those congregations that do not have such a dedicated group of people investing their lives in young people are sadly lacking. We are very blessed by God to have this type of ministry here.

Have a great day,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
Over the past few weeks I have been preaching a series of sermons in our Sunday p.m. worship through the Psalms. I started with Psalm 50 and am currently as Psalm 57. I find that the Psalms seem to speak to me about the heart of the person that is writing. When David writes he wraps it in the events of his life and how God has taken care of Him in it and how he will give praise to God. I wonder if you and I could just look at out lives in wrapped up in the reality that God delivers us from our circumstances if we would not be people of praise to Him? Here is a suggestion: look for something to give praise to God fr today.
It is with grea anticipation that I am waiting for Turkey Season to open up at the end of this month. I really enjoy getting to be outsde and to merely watch all that God has made. Of course, I also enjoy the fact that my youngest son, James, is planning on coming in to hunt with me. We have done this for about 10 years now and I am thankful that God has made that possible for me. I praise Him for giving me the opportunity to spend that time with my son. It is always a time of fun and laughter plus he is bringing his two girls in to be with us at the same time so that is a real bonus.
Easter is not far off and this coming Sunday morning I will begin a four sermon series on the blood. This Sunday it will be on the blood of the Passover Lamb. The message of the blood of the Lamb is something that is absolutely amazing when you consider that it is that very blood that is able to cleanse us and make us whole. I look forward to the next four Sundays as we attempt to lift up the Lamb of God.

Have a great one,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
It is amazing that we are already in March. It seems that time really goes by qucikly and before you know it you are in a different season. Here in East Tennessee we have had very little winter, no snow to speak of, and the temperatures have been very moderate most of the time. This is one of the reason I love living here as I prefer warm weather over cold any time of the year.
This past Sunday we had a marvelous time of worship here at Greeneville First Church of God. The music was great with about 9 different instrumentalists, a choir and wonderful congregational singing. Dale Gruver sang the song, End of the Beginning, and it was blessed by God to move the hearts of the congregation. After being gone the previous Sunday I realize much more than normal how blessed I am to get to worship here. I know that God does not have to have a choir or instrumentalists to speak to our hearts. Yet last Sunday the worship seemed to me to be rather stilted but it was not a music issue. It was all the time that was used to just talk. Why must we take 10 minutes to receive requests and spend 2 minutes praying? Why interprupt the worship with announcements and wasted time waiting for someone to get ready? Maybe this is more about my own personal tastes but I see numerous congregations that are slowly dying using those methods and wonder if there is some correlation?
One of the great dangers that we pastors have is the difficulty to sit in the pew and allow other people to make the decisions on how things are being done. It is easy to become rather critical because I think I know how to do it and that if everyone would listen to me it would be fixed. I pray that I my heart will be open to God doing what He would do using the instruments that are at hand. He does not need me to accomplish His will so I am going to work very hard at jsut being in His will. I pray that you will do the same.

Pastor H. G. Rudd

Hello Folks,
This past week I have been in Indiana and Illinois visiting my children and grandchildren. It was a good time of visiting with them and watching Jordyn, James' 12 year old daughter, play an indoor softball tournament. It was a great time for Ruth and myself as we get to see very little of our grandchildren as they are doing some of the things that are important to them. To get to hear all of them laugh and talk is an enjoyment to me and I am thankful that God allowed me that time.
The first two months of 2012 have been good to us here at Greeneville First Church of God. We have seen very good attendance and the Spirit of the Lord has been very real among us. It is with great joy that I look forward to what He is going to do next. Pray that God will enable us to continue to plant, water and see the increase that He will give.
The CL4CL ministry is going along pretty good. We have about 80 people involved in it this 12 week cycle. It is my desire to see people grow up in Jesus. This is a tool that we are using here that seems to have some good success thus far. I ask you to pray for us here at Greeneville First Church of God to develop people for the Kingdom. May He be praised in it all.

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
Just this past week we were involved in our Winter Camp Meeting here in Greeneville, Tn. Kevin Beck was the speaker and God really used him among us. His spirit was one of passion and compassion. It seemed to me that the saints who were there were blessed and helped in their life for Christ. Kevin had two of his sons, Andrew and Josh, with him and they all stayed at with me and Ruth in our home. What a joy it was to have them there. I have known Kevin for a number of years and it was a real pleasure to spent time with the three of them.
The worship leader, Dean Schields, did an excellent job as well with God using him to help us worship. I have known Dean for a number of years. It was my pleasure to meet him in Dayton, Ohio in the 1970's when he was the worship pastor at Salem Avenue Church of God, which is now Salem Church of God, in Clayton, Ohio. He and his wife Sandy came by our home and had snacks one night after camp meeting and they were an inspiration to us.
While the week was filled with the joy of Camp Meeting I also was called upon to preach at the funeral of a friend of mine. What a sad time that was for me and the entire community. The sanctuary at the Methodist church was filled with people standing. It reminds me that even in the midst of the good things of life the bad things still come. The one thing that is constant is that God is with us! He is dependable and true! No matter what happens in my life there is One who is faithful and I give Him Praise.

Have a great one.

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
This week has been filled with both good and bad. Kevin Beck has been the speaker at our Winter Camp Meeting that began Sunday night and has been doing a very good job. He also preached here this past Sunday a.m. and was well received by the people and used by the Holy Ghost. Kevin is a wonderful friend of mine and he has two of his sons with him, Andrew age 19 and Josh age 15. They both have sensed God's call on their lives are planning on being a pastor (Andrew) and a youth and music pastor (Josh). What wonderful young men they are. But the rest of their family is also wonder. A 20 year old daugher who is preparing for music ministry at God's Bible College in Cincinnati and a 9 year old son (Jonathan) who is at home with his mother Julie. God has certainly used this family to minister to my heart and I am thankful for them.
This past Friday a good friend of mine who lived in this community committed suicide and I cannot express how this effected my heart. The family has asked me to preach the funeral so I ask you to pray for me to be able to say what needs to be said to them. What a terrible situation it is and the family is extremely broken. Lift them up to God for His care to be provided to them.
There is a young man I know who recently committed his life to Jesus and I celebrate that wonderful event. Please pray with me for him as he moves forward in his life for Christ. I am praying that I, or someone else, will be used by God to disciple him. This young man is such a wonderful young man and has such great potential. May God use him for the Kingdom.

God bless you all,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
Someone said to me this past Sunday evening that they believe our congregation is getting ready to explode in growth. We have been seeing great attendance, great worship and a wonderful spirit in our services. People are getting involved in CL4CL (Christian Learning For Christian Living) at a very good rate and new people are entering our doors on a regular basis. It seems to me that we certainly are ready for God to do something of a wonderful nature among us.
I was thinking about some of the things that are necessary for growth to be more than just more people coming into a building because of the programs and it seems to me that one of the core pieces is the heart of leadership. So I ask you to pray with me that my heart, as well as the heart of other leaders, would be open to God and He could do in us what He so desires. May I have a heart that wants growth for the right reasons and a heart that will seek after God. May my heart be filled with His Spirit and may He remove anything that is not what He would desire. I guess I have more concern about me being the right leader, or the right follower of Jesus, than about some of the other things.
Starting next Sunday Kevin Beck, a pastor from Ohio, will be preaching our Winter Camp Meeting at Camp Greene. I would ask you all to pray and if possible to attend. He will bring his 3 sons with him and they will stay in my home. Ruth and I look forward to their being with us and and to the good time we will spend together. What a joy it is for me to have them with us.

May your day be filled up with the wonders of Jesus.

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
As many of you already know this past week Ruth and I went to Van Buren, Ark for the funeral of Micah Joy (Ebert) Hogan. She was killed in a car wreck at the age of 36 leaving behind a husband, a son (age 15) and a daughter (age 12). The funeral vistation and services revealed her value to the community with between 1200-1500 being at the visitation and about 700-800 being at the funeral itself. Please pray for the family. Her father and mother, Mike and Jeannie Ebert, have been dear friends to us and we have known Micah since she was 3 years old. We celebrate that she was a servant of the Savior and that this earthly life was just the beginning for her but she will be missed until we get to see her again in heaven.
The congregation here at Greeneville First Church of God has started the New Year out in a wonderful fashion. Our worship has been blessed by the presence of God and our attendance has been good. Two Sunday's ago we had a young man in his 20's come to the Lord for salvation and we are thankful that took place. We also gave certificates to 80 people who have finished a class in the CL4CL, Christian Learning for Christian Living ministry that we have started. We also have another 80 who are moving on to another 13 weeks series of training. We are planning on some events in this year that will, hopefully, help us to reach people for Christ. Yet the way that will happen the most is when individuals in our congregation share the gospel and invite others to worship with us. Just this past Sunday we had about 3 new families enter our building and I pray that we can help them grow in the Kingdom of God.
I believe that God wants us to be people who will be invested and interested in building the local congregation and the Kingdom of God. Please pray that we actually do that here!

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
This past week Ruth and I received a terrible message--Micah Joy Hogan age 36, daughter of Mike and Jeannie Ebert, was killed in an automobile wreck. Her son and daughter were also injured in the wreck with multiple bones broken. I ask you to pray for the Eberts, for Micah's husband, Kendall, the children and other family members. Ruth and I have known Micah for over 33 years and it is also a horrible shock for us as well. What can a person say except what Job said, "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of hte LORD." I know that there is more to life than this physical body and this sphere we call earth. Thank God to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. He is God and there is no other so I trust Him. That is my decision in life, no matter what it brings, no matter how it hurts, no matter if nothing goes right, I trust Him!
Ruth and I will be leaving today to attend the funeral in Alma, Arkansas. Pray that we have traveling mercies and that we can be of help to the family. Mike and Jeannie have been family to us through the years and we believe that we must be there with them just to give them our support. My heart is heavy because of the great shock and sorrow but I believe God and am sure that He will take care of all who will seek Him.
May the Lord bless you all. Treasure your families, express your love to them, and hold them in your hearts.

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
It is good to be home after spending about 10 days visiting children and grandchildren. Christmas was great and what a joy to see my family as they celebrated the wonders of Christ's birth together. We attended Pekin First Church of God for the Christmas Eve service and then I preached at New Covenant Church of God in Mapleton, IL on Christmas morning. It was with great joy that I got to see people that I have known for years. The young people that I pastored are now parents. The years do catch up with all of us.
Our New Year's worship services were great here at Greeneville. It is good to be back home and I am thankful that I have teh privlege of serving such a wonderful congregation. This new year has a lot of opportunities for us to bring glory to our King! I pray that everyone of us will put our hearts and lives into service for Him and work at building the Kingdom of God.
In this new year I pray that we will be able to continue to help develop people. The new ministry of CL4CL or Christian Learning For Christian Living will be useful in building people for the Kingdom. The second session begins Jan 8 for 80 people giving themselves to learning for the King. We will also continue to work at retiring the current debt on our Sanctuary and Administration wings. Of course, we will also work with missions both locally, nationally and internationally. As of right now I know that our Youth are planning on going to Nebraska and helping the Minks in their ministry to the American Indians. There should also be other opportunities for people to go on Mission's trips in other countries. One of the things that we will work hard on doing is reaching people for Christ and that will be accomplished through special events and in visiting people and sharing the mesage of His saving grace.
May this day bring great joy to you all.

HGRudd